Are you a specialist in Adult Social Care, Community Care or Mental Health law and ready for a change?

 

We are looking for an experienced Solicitor or Legal Executive with a background in Adult Social Care, Community Care and/or Mental Health law to bring their specialist knowledge into an exciting and developing area of our practice.

Ison Harrison Solicitors employs 450+ people across 30 offices and was recently recognised as one of the UK’s top 10 employers in The Sunday Times Best Big Places to Work 2026.

We are also 100% employee-owned, meaning every employee has the opportunity to Join in, Influence and Benefit.

 

Role Overview

This is an unusual opportunity for someone who has developed specialist knowledge within Adult Social Care, Community Care or Mental Health law and is interested in applying that expertise within a more litigation and inquiry-focused environment.

We are working on complex matters involving vulnerable individuals where issues of mental health treatment, social care, funding, and access to appropriate services can overlap with wider areas of law.

 

We are therefore looking for someone who can bring a strong understanding of the legal and practical issues surrounding the provision of care and support, helping us build upon our existing expertise and further expand this increasingly important area of practice

 

Key Responsibilities

Depending on experience, your work could include:

  • Advising clients involved in the Statutory Public Inquiry into Mental Health Services
  • Exploring breaches of the Human Rights Act and Public Law remedies
  • Advising on matters involving Adult Social Care, Community Care and Mental Health law
  • Providing specialist knowledge around the Mental Health Act, including section 117 aftercare
  • Considering issues surrounding care pathways, aftercare and access to appropriate services
  • Advising on social care and healthcare funding issues
  • Working on complex cases involving vulnerable clients and individuals with mental health needs
  • Considering issues relating to mental capacity and appropriate client support
  • Developing a practice in other areas of law, including inquests; inquiries and actions against public authorities, where cases involve overlapping legal issues
  • Progressing to support clients through the civil litigation process
  • Contributing specialist expertise to significant and complex inquiry work
  • Supporting the longer-term development of the firm’s expertise in this area

 

Requirements

We would particularly like to hear from candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

  • Adult Social Care law
  • Community Care law
  • Mental Health law
  • Mental Health Act matters
  • Section 117 aftercare
  • Social care or healthcare funding disputes
  • Mental capacity matters
  • Representing vulnerable clients
  • Public Law Remedies
  • Human Rights Act breaches
  • Legal Aid work

 

You may currently be working in a specialist Community Care or Mental Health team and do not need to have an existing background in inquiry work.

More important is your ability to bring specialist knowledge, strong client-care skills and an interest in applying your experience to complex and developing areas of litigation.

 

Why make the move?

If you have spent your career helping vulnerable individuals navigate the Mental Health Act, social care system or disputes around access to services, this is an opportunity to take that expertise in a new direction.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Apply your specialist knowledge to complex, high-quality legal work
  • Work collaboratively with lawyers across different areas of law
  • Develop experience in litigation and inquiry work
  • Help shape and develop an area of expertise within the firm
  • Join an established, employee-owned law firm

 

Salary

The salary for this role will be based on experience, therefore please indicate your current salary and expectations for this position.

 

Location

Suite 106/107 Cleveland Business Centre, Watson Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 2RQ

 

Ison Harrison is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on any grounds other than the ability to carry out the job specification.

 

To apply for this job email your details to Gavin.Tainton@isonharrison.co.uk.