Childcare Lawyer

Sellick Partnership; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Sellick Partnership is recruiting a Childcare Lawyer for a Local Authority in South East England. The role involves managing a varied caseload of Children's Social Care matters, delivering high-quality legal advice, and representing the Council in court and tribunals.

The position offers hybrid working with the option for flexible attendance and remote applicants. Candidates should have solid knowledge of local government law and experience in Children's Social Care cases.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX, or equivalent qualification.
• Established knowledge of local government law, particularly Children's Social Care.
• Experience handling a Children's Social Care caseload, ideally in a Local Authority or private practice.
• Experience drafting a range of legal documents and providing clear, practical legal advice.
• Ability to advocate and represent clients in court proceedings and hearings.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to build stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload independently, prioritise demands and meet deadlines.
• Proactive approach to identifying legal risks and developing practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Managing a varied caseload of Children's Social Care matters, delivering work to high standards within timescales.
• Providing high-quality legal advice to Council departments on childcare matters.
• Advocating and representing the Council in court, tribunals and other hearings.
• Drafting legal documents, applications, statements and other formal papers.
• Researching complex areas of law and presenting clear, practical guidance to clients.
• Building and maintaining relationships with internal departments, external organisations and partner agencies.
• Providing training and guidance to client departments and colleagues within the legal team.
• Supporting Trainees and Paralegals where required.
• Contributing to team performance targets and continuous service improvements.

Skills

Local government law

Children's Social Care knowledge

Advocacy

Legal drafting

Communication skills

Caseload management

Deadline oriented

Risk identification

Education

Qualified Solicitor / Barrister / CILEX

Job description

Childcare Lawyer

Salary: £49,871 - £55,224 per annum
Location: South East England - hybrid working, though can consider flexible attendance and remote applicants
Contract: Permanent

Overview of the Childcare Lawyer role:

Sellick Partnership is currently working with a Local Authority based in South East England who are looking to recruit a Lawyer specialising in Children's Social Care to join their Legal Services team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Childcare Lawyer to join a supportive and collaborative legal team, managing a varied caseload of children's social care matters and providing high-quality legal advice and representation to the Council.

The role offers hybrid working, with a maximum expectation of attending the office once a week. However, the Council can offer flexibility around office attendance, meaning candidates based further afield may also be considered and even fully remote applicants.

Key responsibilities of the Childcare Lawyer will include:

• Managing a varied caseload of medium and occasionally high-complexity Children's Social Care matters, ensuring work is delivered to a high standard and within agreed timescales.
• Providing high-quality legal advice, guidance and support to Council departments on a range of childcare matters.
• Undertaking advocacy and representing the Council in court proceedings, tribunals and other contested hearings.
• Drafting legal documents, applications, statements and other formal documentation.
• Researching complex areas of law and presenting clear, practical and accessible legal advice to clients.
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal departments, external organisations and partner agencies.
• Providing training and guidance to client departments and colleagues within the legal team.
• Supporting and supervising Trainees and Paralegals where required.
• Contributing to the achievement of team performance targets and the continuous improvement of legal services.

Required experience/qualifications of the Childcare Lawyer position will include:

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX), or equivalent qualification with relevant experience.
• Established knowledge and experience of local government law, particularly Children's Social Care matters.
• Previous experience handling a Children's Social Care caseload, ideally within a Local Authority or relevant private practice environment.
• Experience drafting a range of legal documents and providing clear, practical legal advice.
• Ability to undertake advocacy and represent clients in court proceedings and contested hearings.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload independently, prioritise competing demands and work to deadlines.
• A proactive approach to identifying legal risks and developing practical solutions.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Childcare Lawyer looking to join a supportive Local Authority legal team, with the flexibility of hybrid working and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to services supporting children and families across the region.