Senior Lawyer – Child Protection

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

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a Senior Lawyer – Child Protection for a 3 Month Contract with a local authority in Peterborough. The role involves managing a complex care proceedings caseload and providing expert legal advice throughout the lifecycle of care proceedings.

You will conduct advocacy at court, handle ICOs and urgent hearings, and ensure compliance with statutory duties. Applicants should be qualified solicitors/barristers with local government experience and strong advocacy.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with current practising certificate.
• Significant experience handling Child Protection matters in local government.
• Strong advocacy skills and ability to conduct own hearings.
• Experience with care proceedings, ICOs, PLO, and deprivation of liberty matters.
• Excellent case management, drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage busy caseload and respond to urgent matters.

Responsibilities

• Manage a full Child Protection caseload from planning meetings to final hearings.
• Conduct Legal Planning Meetings and PLO meetings.
• Handle all aspects of Child Protection proceedings, including urgent applications.
• Prepare for and undertake advocacy at court hearings.
• Manage ICO applications and other urgent hearings.
• Deal with deprivation of liberty matters.
• Support duty solicitor/lawyer rota as required.
• Deliver high-quality legal advice to client departments on Child Protection matters.
• Ensure casework complies with legislation, court procedures, and timescales.

Skills

Advocacy

Case management

Drafting

Negotiation

Communication

Caseload management

Education

Qualified solicitor/barrister/CLE

Job description

Peterborough, United Kingdom | Posted on 13/07/2026

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

The Senior Lawyer – Child Protection will manage a complex caseload of child protection matters, providing expert legal advice and representation throughout the lifecycle of care proceedings. The role involves conducting advocacy, supporting legal planning processes, and ensuring the local authority meets its statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a full Child Protection caseload from legal planning meetings through to final hearings.
• Conduct Legal Planning Meetings and Public Law Outline (PLO) meetings.
• Handle all aspects of Child Protection proceedings, including urgent applications.
• Prepare for and undertake advocacy at court hearings.
• Manage Interim Care Order (ICO) applications and other urgent hearings.
• Deal with deprivation of liberty matters.
• Handle discharge, reduction, and variation of care order applications.
• Provide support on the duty solicitor/lawyer rota as required.
• Deliver high-quality legal advice to client departments on Child Protection matters.
• Ensure casework is managed effectively and in accordance with relevant legislation, court procedures, and timescales.

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with a current practising certificate.
• Significant experience managing Child Protection matters within local government.
• Strong advocacy skills with the ability to conduct own hearings.
• Experience handling care proceedings, Interim Care Orders, Public Law Outline processes, and deprivation of liberty matters.
• Excellent case management, drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage a busy caseload and respond effectively to urgent matters.

Additional Information

• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Location: Peterborough Council (Flexible hybrid working, with attendance at court as required and office attendance ideally 2–3 days per week)
• Bi Weekly Payment Schedule