Child Protection Lawyer – 3 Month Contract

Location: Flexible / Remote Working

Rate: £55.00 per hour (Umbrella)

Contract: 3 Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

Working Pattern: Flexible Remote Working

Pay: Bi-Weekly

Summary

A Local Authority is in search of a seasoned Child Protection Lawyer to join its Legal Services team on a temporary basis. This position involves managing a diverse and intricate childcare caseload, offering expert legal guidance, advocacy, and representation to Children's Services, senior officials, members, and committees. The successful candidate will operate within a Lexcel-accredited legal practice, playing a crucial role in ensuring the Local Authority fulfills its statutory responsibilities effectively and lawfully. This role is ideal for an experienced childcare lawyer who can work autonomously, engage in advocacy, and provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice in a dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee a comprehensive and complex caseload of child protection and childcare issues.
  
• Deliver prompt, precise, and legally sound advice to Children's Services and senior stakeholders.
  
• Perform advocacy as needed in Family Courts and related proceedings.
  
• Provide counsel on:
  • Care Proceedings
    
  • Public Law Outline (PLO)
    
  • Child Protection
    
  • Adoption Matters
    
  • Placement Orders
    
  • Special Guardianship Orders
    
  • Emergency Applications
    
  • Pre-Proceedings
    
• Draft pleadings, court applications, witness statements, legal agreements, and related documents.
  
• Facilitate lawful decision-making by officers, members, and committees.
  
• Participate in hearings, meetings, and proceedings as necessary.
  
• Maintain accurate records using electronic case management systems.
  
• Adhere to Lexcel Practice Management Standards.
  
• Assist in training and developing officers and colleagues.
  
• Support senior lawyers and contribute to service development initiatives.
  

Essential

Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEX eligible to practice in England and Wales.
  
• Current practicing certificate from the relevant professional body.
  
• Extensive experience in Child Protection and Childcare Law matters.
  
• Strong understanding of:
  • Children Act 1989
    
  • Adoption and Children Act 2002
    
  • Family Procedure Rules
    
  • Public Law Childcare Proceedings
    
• Experience in advocacy or a strong willingness to undertake advocacy.
  
• Proven ability to manage a demanding and complex legal caseload.
  
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and legal research skills.
  
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
  
• Experience providing legal advice to Children's Services teams.
  
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  

Desirable

• Previous experience in Local Authority legal work.
  
• Experience in supervising or mentoring junior legal staff.
  
• Experience supporting management responsibilities within a legal team.
  
• Knowledge of Adult Social Care or Education Law.
  
• Experience working within a Lexcel-accredited practice.
  
• Proficiency in using electronic legal case management systems.
  

What's on Offer?

• £55.00 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• 3 Month Contract
  
• Full-Time Hours
  
• Flexible Remote Working
  
• Bi-Weekly Pay
  
• Opportunity to join a Lexcel-accredited Legal Services team.
  
• Diverse and challenging childcare caseload.
  
• Opportunity to engage in advocacy and high-profile safeguarding work.
  
• Supportive and collaborative legal environment.
  
• Exposure to complex child protection and public law proceedings.
  

This role is suitable for candidates with experience as a Child Protection Lawyer, Childcare Lawyer, Children's Solicitor, Public Law Solicitor, Family Solicitor, Care Proceedings Lawyer, Safeguarding Lawyer, Local Government Lawyer, or Senior Childcare Solicitor.