Job Description
Senior Legal Officer (Childcare)
* Hourly Rate: £50 to £55 per hour via Umbrella
* Location: Doncaster
* Job Type: Contract
We are seeking a Senior Legal Officer specialised in Childcare to provide expert legal advice, support, and representation for Doncaster’s Children, Young People and Families Service. This role involves managing complex legal matters relating to child protection, mentoring junior staff, and representing the Council in high-profile cases.
Day-to-day of the role:
* Manage a caseload of child protection work, including care proceedings and pre-proceedings (PLO).
* Provide written and verbal legal advice to various council panels, boards, and senior leaders.
* Draft legal documents, negotiate terms, and carry out advocacy in family courts.
* Represent the Council in court for complex or high-profile cases and instruct barristers when necessary.
* Support and mentor Legal Officers and Assistants.
* Attend and contribute to legal planning meetings, strategy discussions, and safeguarding meetings.
* Participate in a legal duty rota during office hours and provide out-of-hours advice as part of a rota.
* Deliver training to legal and social care teams and support the Team Manager and Head of Service with the legal services delivery plan.
* Maintain up-to-date legal knowledge through continuous professional development.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
* Must be a Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX) with litigation rights.
* Strong post-qualification experience in child protection law.
* Solid experience in childcare/family law with recent and competent advocacy experience in the Family Court.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, good drafting, and organisational skills.
* Confident in using information technology and remote working tools.
* Ability to travel to courts and meetings mainly around South Yorkshire and willingness to work outside normal hours when needed.
Benefits:
* Competitive hourly rate.
* Opportunity to work in a dynamic environment and make a significant impact in the community.
* Continuous professional development and training opportunities.
How to apply:
To apply for the Senior Legal Officer position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications.