Childcare Lawyer

CRA Consulting; South Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Training and development opportunities

Salary sacrifice schemes

Job summary

CRA Consulting is recruiting an experienced In-House Childcare Advocate to join the Local Authority in South Yorkshire. The role focuses on advocacy in the Family Court and High Court, with a broad caseload in childcare matters and involvement in the wider childcare legal team.

The successful candidate will hold Higher Rights of Audience, be a Solicitor or Barrister, and bring robust experience in childcare and public law. Hybrid/remote agile working and a permanent contract are offered.

Qualifications

• Current practising certificate and qualification as a Solicitor or Barrister.
• Higher Rights of Audience.
• Significant experience in Childcare Law and public law proceedings.
• Strong advocacy experience in Family Court and High Court.

Responsibilities

• Representing the Local Authority at Family Court and High Court hearings.
• Handling a complex caseload in child protection and care proceedings.
• Providing high-quality legal advice to Social Services and drafting court documents.
• Supporting senior lawyers and contributing to team development.

Skills

Advocacy

Public law

Legal research

Written and verbal communication

Education

Solicitor or Barrister qualification

Job description

In-House Childcare Advocate

Location: South Yorkshire
Salary: £52,000 - £57,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Working Arrangements: Hybrid / Remote Agile Working

CRA Consulting is delighted to be working in partnership with an established Local Authority in South Yorkshire who are looking to appoint an experienced In-House Childcare Advocate to join their Legal Services team on a permanent basis.
This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience and a strong background in Childcare Law to take the next step in their career within a supportive and forward-thinking local authority legal team.
The successful candidate will undertake a predominantly advocacy-focused role, representing the Local Authority in the Family Court and High Court, while also playing an important role within the wider Childcare Legal Team.

The Role

This is much more than a traditional advocacy position. The successful candidate will become an integral part of the childcare management structure, supporting the development of the team while continuing to undertake high-quality advocacy across a varied and complex caseload.
Key responsibilities will include:

• Representing the Local Authority at Family Court and High Court hearings.
• Handling a complex caseload predominantly involving child protection and care proceedings.
• Conducting advocacy in relation to complex childcare matters, including adoption, serious injury, fatalities and cases involving international elements.
• Dealing with Deprivation of Liberty applications and associated advocacy.
• Providing high-quality legal advice to Social Services clients, both verbally and in writing.
• Preparing court documentation and other legal documents required throughout proceedings.
• Advising on relevant social care legislation and undertaking legal research.
• Supporting Senior and Principal Lawyers with complex and specialist matters.
• Providing guidance, support and training to members of the childcare legal team.
• Assisting with the allocation of work and professional development across the team.
• Deputising for senior members of the legal management team when required.
• Contributing to the continued development and improvement of the Childcare Legal Service.

About You

The successful candidate will be an experienced Childcare Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience and a strong understanding of public law children matters.
You may currently be working within a Local Authority, specialist childcare team or private practice, and be looking for an opportunity offering greater responsibility, professional development and involvement within a wider legal management structure.
You should have:

• A current practising certificate and qualification as a Solicitor or Barrister.
• Higher Rights of Audience.
• Significant experience dealing with Childcare Law and public law proceedings.
• Strong advocacy experience within the Family Court and/or High Court.
• Experience managing complex care proceedings.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant legislation and case law.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to provide clear, practical legal advice to Social Care professionals.
• The confidence to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider legal team.

Experience of particularly complex care proceedings, including adoption, serious injury, fatalities, Deprivation of Liberty applications or international matters, would be highly advantageous.

What's on Offer?

This is a fantastic permanent opportunity offering:

• £52,000 - £57,000 per annum
• Hybrid and agile working arrangements.
• Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Flexible working and flexi-time arrangements.
• Opportunities to work on complex and high-profile childcare matters.
• Legal assistant support.
• Excellent training and professional development opportunities.
• Opportunities to take on additional responsibility within the childcare management structure.
• A supportive and collaborative legal services environment.
• A comprehensive range of employee benefits and salary sacrifice schemes.