Childcare Solicitor

Forbes Solicitors; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Forbes Solicitors is seeking a Solicitor to join their award-winning Public Family Team in Blackburn. This full-time role offers a dynamic work environment with a focus on Family Law, providing opportunities for professional growth and a sustainable work-life balance. The successful candidate will manage a variety of family law matters and contribute to a collaborative team culture.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Annual leave purchase scheme

Ongoing professional development

Company pension

Health care benefits

Retailer and gym membership discounts

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with ideally 2 years PQE.
• Experience in Childcare matters and court proceedings.
• Strong client care and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage Public Law Family matters including court hearings.
• Provide legal advice and support to clients.
• Mentor and train Paralegals.

Skills

Client care skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Commercial awareness

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Legal Executive

Tools

IT systems (Outlook, Word)

Job description

Job Description

UK Employer of the Year 2024: Silver (250+) - Investors in People Awards

Role

Forbes Solicitors are looking for a Solicitor to join the Public Family Team at our Blackburn, Northgate office.

This is a full-time role working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm. Hybrid working arrangements may be available depending on operational requirements.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic and experienced Family Solicitor looking for a new challenge to join our award-winning Family Law team, to progress their career and bring their skills and knowledge to a collaborative and professional team. While the role involves working in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment with high standards, it also offers a sustainable work-life balance and relates to the regional area in which it is based.

As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for achieving successful outcomes such as:

1. Dealing with a mix of Public Law Family matters (Childcare matters including care proceedings, child protection, and special guardianships);
2. Attending Court hearings for a wide variety of family hearings;
3. Providing written and verbal legal advice;
4. Communicating with clients, opponents, Courts/Tribunals, and third parties to progress files;
5. Supporting other Family advisers on their cases, and contributing to departmental strategy and business objectives;
6. Managing, supervising, training, coaching, and mentoring Paralegals to facilitate their professional development;
7. Ensuring compliance with internal and external business requirements including ISO:9001, SRA Principles / Code of Conduct, and Court & Tribunal deadlines;
8. Monitoring and reporting on personal financial and business performance to deliver work profitably;
9. Contributing to internal continuous improvement, innovation, and knowledge sharing;
10. Collaborating across departments on joint files, projects, and events;
11. Contributing to the development of the departmental business plan;
12. Building positive relationships with current and prospective clients to enhance the Firm’s profile and drive business growth;
13. Participating in business development activities such as training events, articles/newsletters, Chambers & Legal 500 submissions, etc.

The Person

Applicants will be assessed based on their demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills in:

• Being a qualified Solicitor/Legal Executive (or equivalent), ideally with 2 years PQE;
• Experience working with Childcare matters and court proceedings;
• Experience within a childcare family department;
• Experience with CCMS and processing applications independently;
• Good client care skills, providing professional and competent legal advice in accordance with SRA Code of Conduct;
• Proven ability to handle own caseload, meet deadlines, and generate fees against targets;
• Alignment with the Firm's values;
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
• Strong commercial awareness;
• Proficiency in IT systems such as Outlook and Word;
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Interest in long-term development and progression within the department.

Desirable

• Experience in advocacy is an advantage.

The Firm

At Forbes Solicitors, we foster a supportive and collaborative environment where our team can thrive and develop. We offer a wide range of legal services and have offices across the North, with deep roots in Lancashire. Our team is known for practical advice and a passion for achieving the best results. We are committed to listening and working together to deliver exceptional service.

We are proud to be UK Employer of the Year: Silver (250+) at the Investors in People Awards 2024, ranked as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm, and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm.

We seek individuals who embody our values: authenticity, striving for exceptional results, and unity in teamwork.

The Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays
• Annual leave purchase scheme (subject to T&Cs)
• Celebration leave
• Ongoing professional development
• Progression opportunities
• Company pension
• Profit share scheme
• Long service awards
• Subsidised tuck shops
• Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services)
• BUPA (for Solicitor positions, for self, not dependants)
• Retailer and gym membership discounts
• Referrals for recruitment and legal departments (subject to T&Cs)
• Annual events

We are an equal opportunities and disability confident employer, accredited to Investors in People and ISO 9001 standards. We support equal opportunities and aim to reflect the diversity of the local community in our workforce.