Childcare Lawyer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a qualified solicitor/barrister/CILEX with rights of audience to join a local authority in London on a 3-month contract. You will manage a varied childcare caseload, provide specialist legal advice, and represent the Council in court proceedings to safeguard children's welfare.

The role requires extensive experience in care proceedings, PLO, DoLS, and related matters, with strong drafting and advocacy skills and Lexcel-compliant record keeping.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or CILEX with rights of audience and conduct of litigation.
• 2+ years post-qualification experience in childcare law within a Local Authority setting.
• Experience handling care proceedings, PLO, DoLS, SGO, Adoption, and related matters.
• Strong knowledge of childcare legislation, safeguarding frameworks, and court procedures.
• Excellent drafting, advocacy, negotiation, and case management skills.
• Experience maintaining Lexcel-compliant case files and records.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage a busy caseload.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of childcare matters including care proceedings, PLO, adoption, DoLS, SGO, and related applications.
• Provide expert legal advice and representation to Children's Social Care teams.
• Attend Legal Planning Meetings and multidisciplinary forums.
• Prepare and review legal documents, court applications, witness statements and disclosures.
• Represent the Council in court proceedings and undertake advocacy when qualified.
• Liaise with social workers, managers, Counsel, and external agencies to secure positive outcomes for children.

Skills

Advocacy

Drafting

Case management

Legal research

Negotiation

Education

Qualified Solicitor / Barrister / CILEX with rights of audience

2+ years PQE in childcare law (Local Authority)

Job description

Southwark, United Kingdom | Posted on 17/06/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That's why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide expert legal advice, representation, and support to Children's Social Care services in relation to safeguarding, adoption, care proceedings, and other child protection matters. The postholder will manage a varied caseload, represent the Council in legal proceedings, attend key decision-making panels, and ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services that safeguard the welfare of children and support the Council's statutory responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of childcare matters, including care proceedings, pre-proceedings (PLO), adoption, special guardianship, deprivation of liberty (DoLS), secure accommodation applications, discharge applications, and other non-care matters.


• Provide legal advice and support to Children's Social Care teams on safeguarding and child protection issues.


• Attend and provide legal advice at Legal Planning Meetings (LPM) and other multi-disciplinary forums.


• Prepare and review legal documentation, court applications, witness statements, disclosure requests, and redaction exercises.


• Represent the Council in court proceedings and hearings, undertaking advocacy where qualified and appropriate.


• Advise on legal risks, statutory duties, and procedural requirements relating to childcare law matters.


• Participate in duty lawyer sessions and provide responsive legal support to Children's Services.


• Ensure all case files and records are maintained in accordance with Lexcel standards and regulatory requirements.


• Support the Head of Team in delivering service objectives, corporate priorities, and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Liaise effectively with social workers, senior managers, Counsel, external agencies, and court representatives to ensure positive outcomes for children and families.

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX) with rights of audience and conduct of litigation, holding a current practising certificate.


• Minimum of 2 years' post-qualification experience in childcare law within a Local Authority setting.


• Proven experience managing care proceedings and Public Law Outline (PLO) pre-proceedings cases.


• Experience handling Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS), Secure Accommodation, Special Guardianship Order (SGO), Adoption, Discharge, Disclosure, and Redaction matters.


• Strong knowledge of childcare legislation, safeguarding frameworks, and court procedures.


• Ability to provide practical and solution-focused legal advice to Children's Social Care professionals.


• Excellent drafting, advocacy, negotiation, and case management skills.


• Experience maintaining Lexcel-compliant case files and legal records.


• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage a busy and varied caseload.


• Ability to undertake advocacy in childcare proceedings.

Additional Information

• Location: Tooley Street, London


• Hours per Week: 36 hours per week (Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm with a 1-hour break)