At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex public childcare cases and provide legal advice to social care professionals.
- Company: Leading Local Authority in Manchester with a supportive legal team.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive pay, and long-term assignment opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working available with potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive with experience in public childcare matters.
The predicted salary is between 55 - 55 £ per hour.
Role: Locum Solicitor / Legal Executive
Location: Manchester (Hybrid Working Available)
Rate: £50 - £55 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract: 6-Month Locum Assignment
Start Date: ASAP
Benefits:
- Flexible Working
- Long-Term Assignment
- High Quality Public Law Work
- Supportive Legal Team
The Opportunity:
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:
- £50 - £55 per hour via Umbrella Payroll.
- Initial 6-month contract with potential for extension.
- Immediate start available.
- 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.
Senior Lawyer (Children and Families Legal) in Manchester employer: CRA Legal
CRA Consulting offers an exceptional opportunity for legal professionals to join a highly regarded Children and Families Legal Team in Manchester. With a focus on flexible working arrangements and a supportive environment, employees can expect to engage in meaningful public law work that directly impacts the lives of vulnerable children and families. The company prioritises employee growth through collaboration and provides a platform for tackling complex legal challenges within a dynamic local authority setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lawyer (Children and Families Legal) in Manchester
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like CRA Legal.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that CRA Legal does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
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!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like CRA Legal.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lawyer (Children and Families Legal) in Manchester
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 CRA Legal and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRA Legal
✨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 Senior Lawyer (Children and Families Legal) role at CRA Legal. 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 CRA Legal.
