At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex childcare cases and provide legal advice to social care professionals.
- Company: Join a leading Local Authority in Manchester with a respected legal team.
- Benefits: Initial 6-month contract, hybrid working, and meaningful work supporting vulnerable families.
- Other info: Supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive with experience in public childcare matters.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
CRA Consulting is delighted to be working in partnership with a leading Local Authority in Manchester to recruit an experienced Childcare Locum Solicitor or Legal Executive for an initial 6-month assignment. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly regarded Children and Families Legal Team, supporting social care professionals and senior stakeholders on a varied caseload of public childcare matters. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing complex and sensitive proceedings whilst providing high-quality legal advice to client departments. The role would suit an experienced local government lawyer who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and is looking for a challenging and rewarding locum opportunity.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Managing a caseload of complex public childcare matters from instruction through to conclusion.
- Advising Children’s Services on all aspects of child protection, safeguarding and care planning.
- Conducting legal proceedings under the Children Act and associated legislation.
- Preparing and drafting applications, witness statements, care plans and court documentation.
- Providing strategic and tactical legal advice to social workers, managers and senior officers.
- Representing the Local Authority in contested court proceedings where appropriate.
- Attending case conferences, legal planning meetings and stakeholder meetings.
- Working closely with social care teams to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
- Supporting junior lawyers and legal officers where required.
What They’re Looking For
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (FCILEX).
- Extensive experience handling public childcare matters within a Local Authority environment.
- Strong working knowledge of the Children Act, safeguarding legislation and associated regulations.
- Experience managing complex and sensitive cases independently.
- Excellent drafting, advocacy and client management skills.
- Ability to work autonomously whilst contributing positively to a wider legal team.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
- Previous local government experience is essential.
What’s on Offer
- Initial 6-month contract with potential for extension.
- Hybrid working arrangement.
- Opportunity to work within a highly respected Local Authority legal team.
- Interesting and meaningful work supporting vulnerable children and families.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
Interested? If you’re an experienced Childcare Solicitor or Legal Executive looking for your next locum assignment, we’d be delighted to speak with you in confidence.
Childcare Locum Solicitor / Legal Executive in Manchester employer: CRA Consulting
CRA Consulting is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work within a highly regarded Children and Families Legal Team in Manchester. With a supportive and collaborative work culture, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements and the chance to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts vulnerable children and families. The company prioritises professional growth, providing a platform for experienced legal professionals to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing complex public childcare matters.
