At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex public children law cases and provide high-quality legal advice.
- Company: Join a respected local authority legal service dedicated to safeguarding families.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor junior colleagues and contribute to service development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals through impactful legal work.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Lawyer with strong public children law experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Your new company: You will be joining a well-established and highly regarded local authority legal service, recognised for delivering high-quality legal advice across a broad range of public sector matters. Operating at the heart of decision-making, the team plays a vital role in supporting the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and families, working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to achieve the best possible outcomes. The service is collaborative, forward-thinking and committed to professional development, offering the opportunity to work on complex, meaningful cases within a supportive and well-resourced environment.
Your new role: As a Senior Lawyer within the Children and Families team, you will manage a busy and varied caseload focused primarily on public children law, including section 31 care proceedings and Deprivation of Liberty matters. You will be responsible for handling complex and sensitive cases from start to finish, providing high-quality legal advice and representation, including advocacy in contested hearings. You will work closely with clients to deliver clear, strategic and solution-focused guidance, often within politically sensitive environments. You will be supported by a Legal Officer, who will assist with case preparation, drafting and evidence gathering, alongside a dedicated business support team handling bundling and administrative tasks. In addition to your caseload, you may contribute to mentoring junior colleagues, delivering training to clients, and supporting wider service development. This is a role where your expertise, professionalism and ability to influence will have a direct impact on outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
Contract details: Duration: Initial contract to end of October 2026 (with potential for extension). Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week. Working pattern: Hybrid (c. 1 day per week in the office, flexibility considered).
What you'll need to succeed: Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister (with litigation rights) or CILEX Lawyer (with advocacy certificate), with a current practising certificate. Strong experience in public children law, including section 31 proceedings and related applications. Proven advocacy skills, with confidence representing clients in contested hearings. Excellent case management skills, with the ability to handle complex, high-volume workloads with minimal supervision. Strong analytical and drafting skills, with the ability to provide clear, practical advice on complex legal issues. Ability to build effective working relationships and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders. A proactive, solution-focused approach and the ability to work in a politically sensitive environment.
Senior Family Lawyer in Manchester employer: Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
Join a well-established local authority legal service that is dedicated to safeguarding and supporting families, offering a collaborative and forward-thinking work culture. With a strong commitment to professional development, you will have the opportunity to manage complex cases while being supported by a dedicated team, ensuring a meaningful impact on vulnerable individuals. Enjoy a hybrid working pattern that promotes work-life balance, alongside opportunities for mentoring and contributing to service development.
Contact Details:
Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Family Lawyer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in public children law. Attend events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and employers – it’s all about making those valuable connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to family law. Think about how you would handle complex cases and be ready to discuss your advocacy skills. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio of your past cases (while respecting confidentiality, of course) to demonstrate your experience in public children law. This will help you stand out and show potential employers that you mean business.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Family Lawyer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Family Lawyer role. Highlight your experience in public children law and any relevant cases you've handled. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Advocacy Skills:Since advocacy is key in this role, don’t forget to mention specific instances where you’ve successfully represented clients in contested hearings. We love seeing real examples of your expertise in action!
Be Clear and Concise:When drafting your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your experience and qualifications. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on public children law, especially section 31 care proceedings and Deprivation of Liberty matters. Familiarise yourself with recent case law and any relevant legislation, as this will show your expertise and confidence during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Prepare to discuss your advocacy experience in contested hearings. Think of specific examples where you successfully represented clients and how you navigated complex situations. This will demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive cases effectively.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners, be ready to share examples of how you've built effective working relationships in the past. Highlight your collaborative approach and how it has led to positive outcomes.
✨Be Solution-Focused
In a politically sensitive environment, it's crucial to showcase your proactive, solution-focused mindset. Prepare to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles and the strategies you employed to achieve the best possible outcomes for your clients.
