Childcare Advocate

The Methodist Church in Britain; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Membership of the Local Government PSc

Health and wellbeing benefits

Other pay/benefits package

Job summary

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council's Legal Services is seeking a permanent, full-time advocate to join the childcare team. The role handles a small number of complex childcare cases, takes instructions that would otherwise go to external counsel, and carries a supervisory and training remit across the legal team.

Applicants need at least seven years' post-qualification experience and Higher Rights of Audience, or a commitment to working towards it.

Qualifications

• Higher Rights of Audience qualification, or willingness to work towards it.
• Relevant qualifications to practise in the role.
• Minimum of 7 years post-qualification experience.
• Experience working in a local authority setting.

Responsibilities

• Hold a small number of complex childcare cases.
• Accept instructions from team members who would otherwise brief counsel to represent the council in hearings.
• Attend contested hearings and High Court applications.
• Basic disclosure and barring check covering unspent criminal convictions.
• Commitment to the role and the Legal Services Team.
• Access to the Public Services Network.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Teamwork & relationship building

Initiative & flexibility

Education

Higher Rights of Audience

Qualifications to practise in the role

Job description

This permanent, full-time post sits in the childcare team of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council's Legal Services and is new to the team. The advocate takes on a small number of complex childcare cases, accepting instructions that would otherwise go to external counsel for council hearings. The role also carries a supervisory and training remit across the legal team and the client department. Applicants need at least seven years' post-qualification experience and Higher Rights of Audience, or a commitment to working towards it.

What the job involves

• Hold a small number of complex childcare cases
• Accept instructions from team members who would otherwise brief counsel to represent the council in hearings
• Attend contested hearings and High Court applications

  What’s required

  Qualifications

  • Higher Rights of Audience qualification, or willingness to work towards it
  • Relevant qualifications to practise in the role

  Experience

  • Minimum of 7 years post-qualification experience (PQE)
  • Relevant experience of working in a local authority setting

  Skills & knowledge

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Teamwork and relationship building skills
  • Initiative and flexibility

  Checks & eligibility

  • Basic disclosure and barring check covering unspent criminal convictions

  Other

  • Commitment to the role and the Legal Services Team
  • Access to the Public Services Network

  What’s offered

  • Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Health and wellbeing benefits
  • Other benefits as part of the pay and benefits package