What's involved with this role: Job Title: Junior Solicitor Reference: 000A 69A1/1 Salary: £35 - £60 PAYE per hour Hours: 37 hours a week Role length: Until 29/12/2025 Job type: Hybrid Location: Bury, BL9 0SW DBS Requirement: Enhanced Level DBS Disclosure What the client is looking for: We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Childcare Solicitor (Lawyer) to join the Legal Services team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong advocacy skills and proven experience in child protection law to manage a varied and challenging caseload. The role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to safeguarding and achieving the best outcomes for children and families. The role: As a Lawyer specialising in Childcare, you will manage a busy caseload of child protection and care proceedings, providing high-quality legal advice and representation for the Council. You will be working within the Corporate Core’s Legal Services team, reporting to the Head of Department/Senior Lawyer. This is a full-time, hybrid role, requiring regular in-person attendance at court and at the office, alongside remote working. Some out-of-hours work may be required depending on the needs of the service. What You’ll Do Conduct a personal caseload of child protection matters, including care and supervision proceedings. Provide clear, timely, and practical legal advice to officers, Members, and partner agencies. Represent the Council as an advocate in the Family Court, Magistrates’ Court, County Court, and tribunals. Draft and review complex legal documents, including applications, statements, and orders. Manage the instruction of Counsel and external lawyers where appropriate. Support and mentor junior members of the legal team as required. Contribute to continuous improvement in the delivery of legal services, ensuring efficiency and value for money. Keep up to date with developments in childcare law and local government practice. We are looking for someone with: A current practising certificate as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx) with rights of audience. Proven experience in childcare law/child protection proceedings. Strong advocacy skills with experience representing clients in Family Court and related jurisdictions. Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to handle complex and sensitive cases. Experience of managing a personal caseload with minimal supervision. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and guide decision-makers. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a busy, high-pressure environment. Strong IT skills and experience using case management systems. Desirable: Experience supervising or mentoring junior legal staff and delivering training. How to Apply: Submit your CV and cover letter If you do not hear from us within three working days, unfortunately your application has not been shortlisted on this occasion. Thank you for your interest in working with us. Please quote the Job Title & Vacancy Reference No. in your application, or we will be unable to match your CV to the role being applied for. FT Please note that clients invariably ask us to strip out contact details from CVs before we submit them for consideration. This is always quicker and easier to do if you send your CV to us in Word format, rather than as a PDF please.