Responsibilities
* Report directly to Department Director/Head of Family.
* Building and managing a caseload; you will be responsible for all aspects of Child Care and Legal Aid work including client care, provision of expert representation and advice, as well as undertaking your own advocacy.
* Assisting in managing and supervising Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Paralegals.
* Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department and providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members.
* Variety of duties including dealing with a range of primarily legally aided public and private children cases including Care, Placement and Adoption proceedings, child abduction, child protection issues, Special Guardianship, Family Law Act and Children Act matters.
* Maintain accurate and complete files and records in line with SRA/SQM and Legal Aid Agency standards and procedures.
* Assist with running the legal aid contract as appropriate, bill files, complete legal aid applications and comply with other Legal Aid Agency requirements including Supervision.
Qualifications
* Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying
* At least 5 years PQE
* Candidates must meet the Legal Aid Agency Supervisor Standard for public law children and have significant experience of acting for clients in public/private children law matters.
* Registered with the Law Society and Children Panel Membership is desirable
* Strong management skills
* Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster culture of positive change and encourage cross referrals
* Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators
* Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerable clients and resolve complicated practicalities involved in childcare issues
* Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business
* Working knowledge of the publicly funded Child Care work and have the ability to service privately funded cases
* Have extensive experience in dealing with this area of law, and ideally experience in managing cases involving domestic abuse and injunctive applications
* Experience in own advocacy is an advantage
* Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and case/document management skills
Benefits
* Competitive salary
* A fantastic supportive team
* Excellent progression opportunities
* Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition
* Generous holiday entitlement
* Bonus scheme
* Flexible/hybrid working
* A positive friendly working environment within a firm that respects the work/life balance and welfare of its employees, and rewards hard work
* Pension
* On site parking
* The Company will support your career progression if you decide to pursue Children, Family or Family Advanced Panel accreditation with the Law Society or Resolution.
Working Hours
Hours: Full-time - 37.5 hours per week; 9.00am-5.30pm Monday-Friday (alternative working arrangements including part-time hours will be considered)
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