At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex childcare legal cases and support a dynamic legal team.
- Company: Join Croydon Council, a diverse and vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to high professional standards and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with strong public law experience.
The predicted salary is between 68571 - 71055 £ per year.
Job Description
- Salary range: Grade 17 £68,571- £71,055 p. a. plus fantastic benefits
- Hours of work: 36 hours per week
- Principal Childcare Lawyer
- Social Care & Education Legal Team - Croydon Council
Croydon is one of London's largest and most diverse boroughs, home to vibrant communities, businesses and neighbourhoods.
As a Council, we continue to transform the way we work, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality and sustainable services for our residents.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Principal Childcare Lawyer to join our Social Care & Education Legal Team.
This is a senior role within the team, combining the conduct of complex and high-profile public law children matters with responsibility for supervising and supporting lawyers, advocates and paralegals.
You will also work closely with the Head of Social Care & Education Law, deputising where required and contributing to the continued development of the team and wider Legal Services Division.
About the role
As Principal Childcare Lawyer, you will provide high-quality legal advice and representation to Children's Services across a broad range of child protection and public law children matters.
You will have conduct of complex cases and provide clear, pragmatic and solution-focused legal advice, while supporting the effective management and development of the wider team.
Your responsibilities will include
- Managing a caseload of complex and sensitive public law children matters, including care proceedings and other applications under the Children Act 1989.
- Advising Children's Services on all aspects of child protection, adoption and related children's social care matters.
- Providing advice and representation in relation to pre-proceedings and the Public Law Outline.
- Attending Legal Planning Meetings, strategy meetings, case conferences, reviews and other multi-agency meetings.
- Conducting advocacy in the Family Court where appropriate and instructing Counsel in complex or specialist proceedings.
- Ensuring cases are prepared and conducted in accordance with relevant legislation, case law, court rules and Practice Directions.
- Proactively identifying legal and organisational risks at an early stage and developing effective strategies to address them.
- Providing clear, confident and persuasive advice to social workers, managers and senior officers.
- Developing innovative and legally sound solutions to complex problems.
- Providing day-to-day supervision and professional support to lawyers, in-house advocates and paralegals within the team.
- Conducting regular one-to-one meetings and supporting the appraisal and development of staff in conjunction with the Head of Social Care & Education Law.
- Supporting the allocation, monitoring and progression of work across the team.
- Deputising for the Head of Social Care & Education Law as required.
- Leading or contributing to projects and service improvement initiatives.
- Supporting the ongoing development of the Social Care & Education Legal Team and the wider Legal Services Division.
- Preparing and delivering legal briefings and training to client officers, colleagues, elected Members and other stakeholders.
- Developing and maintaining effective professional relationships with Children's Services, colleagues and partner organisations.
- Contributing to effective risk management and ensuring significant legal or service risks are appropriately escalated.
About you
We are looking for an experienced Solicitor or Barrister who can demonstrate strong technical expertise in public law children work together with the leadership skills required to support and supervise others.
You will have
- A current practising certificate entitling you to practise in England and Wales.
- At least three years' post-qualification experience and substantial relevant experience in childcare/public law children work.
- Strong knowledge of child protection law, children's social care law and Family Court procedure.
- A good understanding of the legal and governance framework within which local authorities operate.
- Experience of managing complex and sensitive childcare proceedings.
- Strong advocacy, legal drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.
- The ability to identify legal risks and provide clear, practical and proportionate solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to advise confidently and persuasively.
- Experience of supervising and supporting lawyers or other legal professionals.
- The ability to organise and prioritise both your own workload and the work of others.
- The ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to urgent and unforeseen demands.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build constructive relationships with client departments and colleagues.
- A flexible and collaborative approach, with a commitment to maintaining high professional standards.
- Experience of working within a local authority legal service and familiarity with legal case management systems would be advantageous.
- Leadership and development
This role provides an opportunity to play an important part in the continued development of the Social Care & Education Legal Team.
You will support the Head of Social Care & Education Law in maintaining high professional standards, developing staff, improving ways of working and ensuring that the legal service remains responsive to the needs of Children's Services.
You will also have opportunities to lead on projects, contribute to wider service development and deputise for the Head of Social Care & Education Law where required.
To view the Social Care and Education Principal role profile please Click here.
About Us
- Croydon Council's priorities
- Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
- Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon's diverse communities and businesses
- Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
- Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
- Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities
Key business plan outcomes
- Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
- Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
- Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we're proud to call home
- People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
- Croydon Council's new ways of working
- Equal Opportunities Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.
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Social Care and Education Principal Solicitor employer: Croydon Council
Croydon Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises community engagement and professional development. As a permanent, full-time Community-Led Social Worker, you will benefit from a collaborative environment that encourages innovation in strengths-based support, while also having access to ongoing training and career advancement opportunities. Working in Croydon means being part of a vibrant community where your contributions directly impact the lives of residents and families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Care and Education Principal Solicitor
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
✨Tap into Online Legal Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Croydon Council, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Services
If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Care and Education Principal Solicitor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Croydon Council, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Croydon Council and the specific role of Social Care and Education Principal Solicitor. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Croydon Council’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Croydon Council
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Croydon Council.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Croydon Council.
