Return to Work – Legal: Candidate Information Pack

Return to Work – Legal is one of four Return to Work initiatives developed by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Government Equalities Office (GEO).

Introduction

Return to Work – Legal is one of four Return to Work initiatives developed by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Government Equalities Office (GEO). It is designed to help experienced barristers, solicitors and legal executives join local government by giving them the chance to share their CVs with council employers who are actively looking for professionals to join their legal teams.

Councils work on a variety of significant local and global issues, including housing, child protection and the environment. If you want to join an organisation that can make a real difference to people’s lives, then apply for our free scheme today and connect with councils.

Why work for local government?

A career in local government provides you with an opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives and to the places and environments in which they live.

Increasingly, those working in local government do these things by working with residents, other public sector bodies like the health service and police force, and the private sector to ensure that local people get the most effective and efficient services possible.

As well as supporting communities, councils are also great employers. Those returning to work after a break sometimes struggle to find work that is flexible enough to support their home life and commitments. Choosing to work for a council can give you that flexibility, whilst allowing you to work on projects that make a real difference to people’s lives.

Councils also offer their staff:

  • fair pay, pensions and holiday allocation
  • a supportive working environment
  • project diversity
  • career progression
  • maternity, paternity and adoption leave
  • the opportunity to feed into the ambitions of the organisation
  • job satisfaction.

Getting back to work after a period away can be daunting, but the Return to Work – Legal scheme can help you find your feet.

Apply for our scheme today and join the other two million people who have chosen to work in local government.

What does the scheme involve?

Return to Work – Legal is a free scheme that will support barristers, solicitors and legal executives to return to work after a career break.

By signing up to our scheme, you will get the opportunity to connect with local authority employers who are aware of the enhanced life experience and skills that returning professionals bring.

Once you have been accepted onto the scheme, you will be invited to share your CV on our private, online platform. The LGA will recruit councils on your behalf, who will then be invited to review your credentials and get in touch with you to discuss employment opportunities.

We cannot guarantee employment, but we are pleased to offer you a way to connect with councils who are eager to work with returning barristers, solicitors and legal executives.

In addition to providing you with a platform to share your CV with councils, we will provide you with information about online resources so you can build your skills within a local government setting.

How do I apply?

Stage 1 – apply

Dates: 29 September 2020 – 31 January 2021

To apply for the scheme, please visit our Return to Work – Legal webpage and select the ‘Apply’ button. You will then be taken to our job vacancies site, where you will be asked to register and complete an online application form.

Should you need any support with completing this form, please contact the LGA’s Return to Work team.

Applications will close on 31 January 2021.

Stage 2 – share your CV

If you pass our eligibility requirements, you will be invited to share your CV on our online platform for active council employers to review. You will also be provided with information about online resources so you can build your skills within a local government setting.

Eligibility requirements

The Return to Work – Legal scheme is a unique opportunity for experienced barristers, solicitors and legal executives to connect with councils.

To be eligible for our programme, you must:

  • be a qualified barrister, solicitor or legal executive
  • have at least two years’ experience.

Our (desired) criteria is that you have:

  • taken a career break for caring responsibilities
  • been out of work for six months or more.

Those returning to work after an extended break sometimes struggle to restart their careers at the right level for their skills and experience. With further challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, this programme will give ‘returners’ a stepping stone to re-enter the workplace.

Further information

Resources

We understand that it can sometimes be daunting to return to work after a significant break. This is why the Government Equalities Office (GEO) has published an easy-to-read toolkit with:

  • advice on care and flexible working
  • free resources to your refresh skills
  • information about returners networks to join.

Contact details

Thank you for your interest in our scheme and we look forward to welcoming your application. For the latest information, please visit the Return to Work – Legal website.

If you have any queries or would like additional support during the application process, please contact our Return to Work team.