Solicitor Level 2 (Childcare)

Wiltshire Career Site; Trowbridge; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market supplement

Hybrid working

Job summary

Wiltshire Council seeks a highly experienced lawyer specializing in childcare law to join the Legal Service at County Hall, Trowbridge. You will advise officers on public childcare matters, guide pre-proceedings, and conduct care proceedings in the family court, ensuring the best interests of children are upheld.

The role offers hybrid working with regular office attendance on a two-week rota, and includes a 15% market supplement.

Qualifications

• Excellent Lawyer with proven track record in childcare law.
• Ability to guide pre-proceedings and decisions related to issuing proceedings.
• Advocacy skills for Family Court hearings and client representation.

Responsibilities

• Guide pre-proceedings and decisions related to issuing proceedings to uphold the best interests of children.
• Conduct care proceedings in the family court.
• Advocate for clients and prepare briefs for counsel.
• Contribute to training initiatives to enhance team capabilities.
• Represent clients at Family Court hearings across Swindon, Salisbury and Bristol.

Job description

Salary: £47,665 - £49,817 (Inclusive of 15% market supplement)

Hours per week: 37 hours

Temporary/Fixed term: 12 Months

Interview date: To be Confirmed

Join our supportive Childcare Team, where you'll find an opportunity for professional and personal growth within a flexible working framework that suits your life and commitments.

Dedicate your expertise and passion to advocating for children's welfare and creating positive change for families in need in Wiltshire.

At Wiltshire, we value teamwork and provide ample opportunities for your professional and personal growth. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in our Childcare Team, advising and instructing officers on various public childcare matters.

To join our team, you'll need to be an excellent Lawyer with a proven track record in childcare law and possess the relevant qualifications and skills required to fulfil key responsibilities, which include, Guiding pre-proceedings and decisions related to issuing proceedings, ensuring the best interests of children are upheld, Conducting care proceedings in the family court, utilising your legal expertise to advocate for clients effectively, Collaborating with colleagues to prepare briefs for counsel and contributing to training initiatives to enhance team capabilities.

You’ll also have the chance to advocate by representing clients at Family Court hearings at multiple locations, including primarily Swindon, but also Salisbury, and Bristol.

While your contractual location will be our County Hall office in Trowbridge, we support a flexible work environment. You can explore hybrid working arrangements to strike the right balance between your personal life and commitment to our Legal Service. Regular office attendance is expected, currently on a two-weekly rota.

This position comes with a 15% market supplement payment. All market supplement payments are subject to review on an annual basis.

Why us?

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.

Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.

We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.

Contact Details

Helen Chandler, Principal Solicitor Safeguard/Protctn T1, [e-mail]

Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.

Application criteria

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However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.

Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion

Disability Confident Employer

Application process

Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).

Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees.

If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.

Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.