Childcare Solicitor

Applefields School; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council’s Legal and Democratic Services invites applications for a Childcare Lawyer or Solicitor to advise and represent in care proceedings and related family law matters. You’ll join a credited team, support vulnerable children and families, and ensure high quality legal services.

Flexible hybrid working from home and County Hall in Northallerton, with a practising certificate and strong research skills as essential requirements.

Qualifications

• Practising certificate required and active.
• Experience in care proceedings and family law.
• Strong research and legal analysis skills.
• Ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issues.
• Collaborative mindset and strong teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and representation in care proceedings and family law.
• Manage legal queries from the Children and Young People Services Directorate.
• Research to address complex legal issues affecting operations.
• Collaborate with the legal team to ensure compliance with Law Society standards and Lexcel accreditation.
• Support external income generation and high-quality legal services.

Skills

Childcare law

Research & analysis

Communication

Collaboration

Legal advice

Education

Practising certificate

Job description

Hours: Full time/ part time options can be considered

Location:Northallerton, North Yorkshire

This could be the best case you'll ever take on.

Join a leading Legal Team in North Yorkshire!

An exciting opportunity has arisen to become a valued member of the Legal and Democratic Services team at North Yorkshire Council. We are looking for Childcare Lawyer or Solicitor to support our Outstanding Children and Young People’s services.

Flexible hybrid opportunities, working from home and our County Hall office, Northallerton if required.

About Us

The Legal Service is part of our Legal and Democratic Services (LDS) within the Chief Executive’s Group. As part of our team, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the wide range of services provided to the County of North Yorkshire. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive, high-quality legal services to Directorates, the Council’s Executive, full Council, Committees, Members, and external clients.

The Role

As a Childcare Lawyer/Solicitor, you’ll provide essential legal advice and representation in cases relating to our Children and Young People Services. Your expertise will be needed in care proceedings, pre-proceeding matters, and responding to complex legal queries related to children’s issues.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert advice and representation in care proceedings and family law matters
• Managing legal queries from the Children and Young People Services Directorate
• Conducting research to address more complex legal issues affecting operational matters
• Collaborating with the legal team to ensure compliance with Law Society Professional Standards and Lexcel accreditation
• Contributing to the overall success of First North Law, NYC’s wholly owned company, in generating external income and delivering high-quality legal services

This role requires a practising certificate

and a strong desire to contribute to the legal needs of vulnerable children and families.

What We’re Looking For:

• A practising certificate
• Experience in children’s law, including care proceedings and family law matters
• Strong research and legal analysis skills
• The ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issuesA collaborative mindset with the ability to work well in a team environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

What We Offer You

• A supportive, professional team environment where you’ll grow your career.
• We offer hybrid working with the option to work from home and flexible hours, helping you achieve a healthy work-life balance.
• We’re committed to your growth, offering continuous learning, career progression opportunities, and financial support for additional qualifications.
• We recognise the importance of family time and well-being, offering generous leave and additional benefits like paid volunteering leave.
• Enjoy the security of a robust pension plan designed for your future.
• Take advantage of our employee benefits scheme which includes discounts on shopping, home tech, green car schemes, and more!

Contact us

If you are passionate about working within the public sector and making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in North Yorkshire, we would love to hear from you, please contact Claire Bryant, Senior Solicitor Lawyer Childcare [e-mail] or 07814754120.

Take the next step in your legal career with North Yorkshire Council, where your expertise will make a real difference to the lives of children and families across the county.

We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

North Yorkshire Councils’ purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality ofopportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.