At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex childcare cases and provide legal advice to social care teams.
- Company: Leading Local Authority in Manchester with a supportive legal team.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, and meaningful work supporting vulnerable families.
- Other info: Hybrid working and potential for contract extension in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your legal career.
- 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) employer: CRA Legal
Join a leading Local Authority in Manchester as a Senior Lawyer in the Children and Families Legal Team, where you will engage in meaningful work that directly impacts vulnerable children and families. Enjoy the benefits of flexible working arrangements, a supportive legal team, and opportunities for professional growth within a fast-paced environment. This role not only offers competitive pay but also the chance to contribute to high-quality public law work while collaborating with dedicated social care professionals.
