At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children's safeguarding services and provide expert legal advice in childcare law.
- Company: Join a supportive Council's Safeguarding and Education Legal Team.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for impactful work and career growth.
- Why this job: Play a key role in protecting children and shaping local safeguarding policies.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with at least five years' experience in childcare law.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Hays is recruiting on behalf of a Council for an experienced Solicitor - Childcare to join their busy and supportive Safeguarding and Education Legal Team on an interim basis.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced legal professional to play a key role in supporting children's safeguarding services, providing specialist advice, and representing the Council in childcare proceedings.
The Role
The successful candidate will undertake a varied caseload covering all aspects of childcare law and safeguarding matters.
You will provide expert legal advice and support to Social Care teams, Sandwell Children's Trust, officers, and elected Members, ensuring the Council meets its statutory responsibilities in relation to children at risk.
Key responsibilities include
- Managing all aspects of legal work relating to childcare proceedings.
- Advising on social care matters including early help, discharges, adoptions, child assessments, and safeguarding issues.
- Representing the Council in childcare hearings, attending court up to three days per week.
- Providing legal advice and support to Council officers, Members, and relevant panels, committees, and meetings.
- Delivering training to Social Workers on child protection legislation and procedures.
- Providing specialist legal advice in relation to children at risk or potential risk of harm.
- Instructing Counsel and Advocates where appropriate to represent the Council's interests.
- Managing competing priorities and working effectively within a fast-paced environment.
About You
To be considered for this role, you will be
- A qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive (FILEX).
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Have a minimum of five years' post-qualification experience.
- Experienced in childcare law and safeguarding matters within a local authority setting.
- Confident attending and conducting court hearings.
- Able to provide clear, practical legal advice to a wide range of stakeholders.
- Organised and capable of managing a demanding caseload under pressure.
- Adaptable, reliable, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Detail-oriented with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Flexible and willing to attend court hearings and meetings in person when required.
If you have substantial childcare and safeguarding experience and are looking for your next interim opportunity within local government, we'd love to hear from you.
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Solicitor - Childcare in Birmingham employer: Allscreens Nationwide Ltd
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solicitor - Childcare in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
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If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
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We think you need these skills to ace Solicitor - Childcare in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Allscreens Nationwide Ltd and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Solicitor - Childcare role at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd.
