Childcare Advocate

Venn Group; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in the South East is seeking a Child Care Advocate for a locum role. The successful candidate will provide legal advocacy in child care proceedings, prepare complex hearings, and work autonomously while collaborating with a legal team. This hybrid position requires court attendance and offers an initial 3-month contract with the potential for extension.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Opportunity for contract extension

Qualifications

• Recent and significant experience in public child care law with advocacy background.
• Expert knowledge of family law and public child care legislation.
• Ability to manage caseload and perform under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advocacy and representation in child care proceedings.
• Draft legal documents and advise on evidence quality and case strength.
• Participate in training and ensure compliance with professional standards.

Skills

Legal research

Negotiation

Communication

Time management

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a valid practising certificate in England and Wales

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

Electronic document/case management systems

Job description

Locum Child Care Advocate – South East Local Authority – Hybrid working – Full Time

Venn Group is working with a well-regarded and collaborative local authority in the South East in their search for a Child Care Advocate on a locum basis for an initial 3-month role with a strong likelihood of extension.

Details:

Job Title: Child Care Advocate
Hourly Rate: Negotiable, depending on experience
Length of Contract: 3 months initially with high possibility for extension
Working Pattern: Full-time – Court attendance in person and team meetings in person
Location: Local Authority in the South East of England
Hybrid working available – court attendance required as necessary

Duties/Responsibilities:
Working closely with the Group Manager and team lawyers to provide high-quality legal advocacy and representation in child care proceedings.

This will include, but is not limited to:

• Acting as an advocate on behalf of the Local Authority in public child care cases at all court levels, including High Court
• Preparing and managing complex hearings, often at short notice
• Drafting legal documents including case summaries, skeleton arguments, and position statements
• Advising clients and team lawyers on evidence quality, case strength, and legal options
• Managing own diary, working autonomously while liaising closely with legal colleagues
• Keeping clients updated on case progress and outcomes
• Participating in training and development activities to support the team and client services
• Ensuring compliance with professional standards (e.g. Lexcel) and CPD requirements

Preferred Experience:

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a valid practising certificate in England and Wales
• Recent and significant experience in public child care law, with substantial advocacy background
• Expert knowledge of family law, court rules, and public child care legislation
• Excellent oral and written communication, legal research, and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage caseload and perform under pressure
• Confident using IT systems such as MS Word, Outlook, and electronic document/case management systems
• Willingness and ability to attend court across the region

If you are interested in this Child Care Advocate role in the South East area, please contact the London office on 07441 916 456, or email your CV to [e-mail] and a member of our team will get back to you.

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates. All salaries and PQE ranges stated serve only as a guide and all applicants will be considered on their individual merits.

Locum Child Care Advocate – South East Local Authority – Hybrid working – Full Time