What's involved with this role: Job Title: Child Care Lawyer Ref: Darlington 5279831 Pay rate: £21.51 per hour PAYE Role length: Anticipated 6 months Working arrangements: Remote working or office based if desired Additional information: Please detail your requested hourly PAYE rate The role: You will act as a key member of the People Team, delivering legal services to the Council and external clients in relation to childcare, education and schools, adult services, mental capacity, mental health, public interest immunity and criminal injuries applications. You will assist in the management of staff within the team and contribute to the overall management of Legal Services. You will need to be a qualified legal professional with knowledge of childcare and/or adult protection law, experience of interpreting legislation and experience of attending court. Key responsibilities: Manage a caseload of childcare and education matters, working independently or collaboratively within the team Provide legal advice and support in line with the team's remit, anticipating issues and contributing strategically to projects and initiatives Support the Principal Lawyer in maintaining effective client and stakeholder relationships and in managing the People Team Represent the Council at strategy meetings, child protection conferences, planning and review meetings, panels, and Safeguarding Partnership events Handle all aspects of childcare litigation, including drafting court documents, instructing counsel, preparing bundles, and attending court and tribunals Advise and attend relevant Committees or Sub Committees (for example Scrutiny) consistent with the duties of the post Review draft reports that are referred, considering legal, policy, procedural and constitutional implications and to comment on and advise clients Write reports or make amendments to reports as may be necessary Deliver training and undertake legal research as required Delegate, train, allocate, and support the work of other team members What the client is looking for: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with current practising certificate and with rights of audience Current and up to date knowledge of childcare and / or adult protection law Experience of attending and presenting cases at courts, panels, hearings and tribunals Experience of interpreting legislation, case law, policy or procedures to give recommendations and advice Experience of effective negotiating to reach satisfactory outcomes Excellent communication skills Ability to summarise and interpret complex and conceptual matters to aide others’ understanding and aimed at their needs Effective advocacy skills and influencing skills Ability to use initiative and make decisions outside immediate policy and procedure, and without reference to manager Ability to solve problems and make difficult (good call) judgments Ability to regularly give advice and guidance, including demonstrating duties, instructing and checking the work of others How to Apply: Quote the Job Title and Reference Number in your application. Submit your CV in Word format. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis—early submission is recommended. We will also add your details to our mail out lists. Please note you may receive details of roles outside of your immediate vicinity, as many candidates are able to relocate temporarily for work. Please disregard any such emails that are not of interest and let us know if you would rather not receive such mailouts and/or if you wish us to delete your details and prefer to apply direct to our advertised roles. 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. JE 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.