At a Glance
- Tasks: Handle Public Law Child Care cases and provide legal advice to social workers.
- Company: Join Barnsley Council, an award-winning employer with a thriving community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous leave, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and offers support for all applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Legal Executive; experience in relevant areas is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 39152 - 50269 € per year.
Directorate: Core Services | Service: Legal Services
Salary: £39,152 - £50,269 (Career Graded)
Working Arrangements: Agile Working - minimum 3 days in the office
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
We are happy to talk flexible working arrangements with you, please get in touch.
Closing date: 22/05/2026 at 23:59pm
This post requires a Basic Criminal Record Check. Prospective employees will be required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time living abroad.
When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.
Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances for those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.
About The Post:
Barnsley Council is an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and your talent will help us make Barnsley the place of possibilities.
As a Council we pride ourselves in being an inclusive employer where a people-centred culture is at the forefront of supporting our people’s well-being, motivation, and productivity. We understand the importance of flexibility, and we offer a range of flexible working patterns to aid a work-life balance that accommodates individual needs.
This is a new post to join an already established and caring Child Care team.
The main duties of the successful Childcare Lawyer will include:
- Handling a caseload of mainly Public Law Child Care cases and pre-proceedings matters.
- Undertaking advocacy on behalf of the council.
- Advising Children’s Social Workers face-to-face and in writing, on all aspects of relevant legislation.
- Preparing all legal documentation relevant to the caseload, particularly court documents, advising on child protection law, and assisting the Senior Social Care Lawyers and Principal Lawyer in relation to the most complex or specialised matters as required.
- Carrying out legal research.
Experience Required For The Childcare Lawyer Role:
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive (with the appropriate rights or the willingness to achieve such).
- Exposure to one or more areas would be beneficial.
The Childcare Lawyer joining this team will enjoy the following benefits:
- Legal assistant support at a rate of 2:1.
- Fantastic training and development opportunities.
- Competitive salary.
- Excellent local government pension scheme, including the option to contribute to an Additional Voluntary Contribution Scheme.
- Flexible and hybrid working.
- Generous annual leave allowance, increasing with length of service and an additional 5 discretionary days used for Christmas shutdown.
- Flexi time and use of up to 5 banked flexi days per year.
- Car lease scheme, salary sacrifice for a brand new car!
- Salary sacrifice scheme for extra annual leave, cycle to work, home electronics and childcare vouchers.
- Discounts on car parking, rail travel, eating out, leisure attractions and gym memberships.
- Family friendly policies including excellent maternity, paternity and adoption entitlements.
Interested in applying for the Childcare Lawyer role? This is a brilliant opportunity for an experienced Childcare Lawyer to join a Legal Team with a great reputation. We will invest in your growth so even if you do not have local authority experience we still would like to hear from you.
We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities.
We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.
At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Public Law Child Care Lawyer | Hybrid & Flexible Hours in Barnsley employer: Barnsley Council
Barnsley Council is an award-winning employer that prioritises a people-centred culture, offering flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance. With a commitment to employee growth through excellent training opportunities and a generous benefits package, including a competitive salary and local government pension scheme, joining our legal team as a Public Law Child Care Lawyer means being part of a supportive and inclusive environment where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Public Law Child Care Lawyer | Hybrid & Flexible Hours in Barnsley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who might know about opportunities at Barnsley Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research Barnsley Council’s recent achievements and their legal services. Being able to discuss their work shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your advocacy skills! Since the role involves handling Public Law Child Care cases, brush up on relevant legislation and be ready to discuss how you’d approach specific scenarios during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our award-winning team!
We think you need these skills to ace Public Law Child Care Lawyer | Hybrid & Flexible Hours in Barnsley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Profile Carefully:Before you start writing, make sure to check out the job profile for the Childcare Lawyer role. It’s your roadmap! Highlight how your skills and experiences match what they’re looking for in your CV and covering letter.
Show Off Your Experience:Even if you don’t have local authority experience, don’t sweat it! Focus on any relevant legal work you’ve done. Share specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in Public Law Child Care cases or similar areas.
Be Yourself:Barnsley Council values diversity and wants to see the real you. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for the role and how you can contribute to their award-winning team!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need to make your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnsley Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Brush up on the key aspects of public law and child care legislation. Being able to discuss relevant laws confidently will show your expertise and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Prepare examples of your advocacy experience, especially in child care cases. Be ready to discuss how you've effectively represented clients or organisations in similar situations.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
Since the role offers hybrid working, be prepared to discuss how you manage your time and workload effectively in both office and remote settings. Highlight any previous experiences that showcase your adaptability.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and the council's approach to child welfare. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
