Job Description
3 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• An exciting opportunity has arisen for up to 10 experienced Children’s Social Care Lawyers to join a fast-paced and highly regarded in-house legal team, accredited with Lexcel and ISO for excellence in service delivery.
• This is an ideal role for qualified legal professionals seeking to further their career in Child Care Law, within a supportive, high-performing environment that encourages development, advocacy skills, and career progression.
• You will manage a complex caseload of child protection matters, provide clear legal advice, and play an active role in litigation and advocacy within the Family Court system, including the High Court and the Family Drug and Alcohol Court.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Manage a full caseload of public law Children Act matters, including complex and sensitive child protection cases.
• Provide timely, high-quality legal advice and representation on all aspects of Child Care Law.
• Undertake your own advocacy in the Family Court (including High Court), where appropriate.
• Draft legal documents, statements, threshold documents, care plans, and correspondence.
• Attend and represent the local authority at court hearings, directions, and case management conferences.
• Support and liaise with social work professionals, internal departments, and external legal representatives.
• Supervise and work in partnership with a dedicated paralegal, supporting case progression.
• Ensure compliance with relevant statutory frameworks, court deadlines, and internal policies.
• Undertake legal research and keep abreast of developments in legislation and case law.
• Participate in legal team meetings, case reviews, and ongoing professional development.
Skills/Experience:
• Significant post-qualification experience in Child Care Law, preferably in a local government or public sector setting.
• Strong working knowledge of Children Act 1989, public law proceedings, and family court processes.
• Confident in managing a complex caseload with minimal supervision.
• Skilled in advocacy and capable of representing the authority in Family Court matters.
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to prepare comprehensive legal documents.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to build positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and court personnel.
• Competent in legal research, case analysis, and risk assessment.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a wider legal team.
Additional Information:
• The closing date: 13/08/2025 @12:00.
• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister (Supreme Court of England and Wales/English Bar), or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (or equivalent).
Requirements
• Significant post-qualification experience in Child Care Law, preferably in a local government or public sector setting. • Strong working knowledge of Children Act 1989, public law proceedings, and family court processes. • Confident in managing a complex caseload with minimal supervision. • Skilled in advocacy and capable of representing the authority in Family Court matters. • Excellent drafting skills and the ability to prepare comprehensive legal documents. • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to build positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and court personnel. • Competent in legal research, case analysis, and risk assessment. • Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing deadlines under pressure. • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a wider legal team.