Job Description: Childcare Solicitor

Who You Are

You are an experienced childcare lawyer with substantial public law children experience and a proven track record of managing care proceedings within a local authority setting. You are detail-focused, able to work at pace, and comfortable balancing competing priorities in a demanding legal environment. Your ability to work collaboratively and positively as part of a supportive team culture is equally important. Flexibility is essential, including a willingness to deal with urgent and out-of-hours matters where service demands require.

What the Job Involves

• Manage a caseload of childcare proceedings, maintaining a minimum of 10 active care cases.
• Issue and progress new public law proceedings.
• Provide legal advice and support to Children's Services social work teams.
• Participate in the Duty Solicitor rota and respond to urgent matters as required.
• Attend and advocate at hearings where appropriate or instruct counsel.
• Ensure compliance with court directions and statutory timescales.
• Take proactive measures to avoid delays and minimise the risk of hearings or timetables slipping.
• Accurately maintain case records using IKEN case management software and Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across legal and operational teams.

Skills

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX)
• Significant recent experience handling public law childcare matters for a local authority
• Experience issuing and managing care proceedings from start to conclusion
• Ability to independently manage a busy childcare caseload
• Strong working knowledge of relevant childcare legislation and court procedures
• Experience working closely with Children's Services professionals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work to strict deadlines
• Competence using case management systems and Microsoft Office 365 applications