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- Tasks: Advise and represent Children's Services on child protection matters, including adoption.
- Company: Join Derbyshire County Council's supportive Family, Safeguarding and Education Team.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your legal skills.
- Qualifications: Proficient in IT with strong organisational and interpersonal skills.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a friendly team and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Working in local government is a highly satisfying and rewarding experience in so many ways, and you will enjoy an excellent range of benefits at Derbyshire County Council. We recognise that our workforce is our greatest asset, and we are currently looking for inspired and proactive people to join our Family, Safeguarding and Education Team.
An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Legal department for an enthusiastic and committed individual to work as a Child Protection Lawyer within our busy yet friendly team of Lawyers and Legal Assistants. On a day-to-day basis you will be advising and representing Children's Services on matters of child protection including adoption. Your workload will be varied but will include case management of pre-proceedings matters and Court work. You will be expected to undertake some advocacy as part of this role. We have an excellent in-house advocacy team who are willing to support lawyers to improve and enhance skills in this area.
You will need to be proficient in using IT software, and have good organisational, motivational, and interpersonal skills to ensure the continued delivery of an efficient and effective service by the legal department. The Job and Person Specification contains full details of the skills and experience you need to have for the role.
In return for your commitment, we offer you:
- 27 days of annual leave plus another 5 once you reach 5 years of continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays
- Good work/life balance including Flexi time, allowing up to an additional 2 days of leave per month
- Training and development opportunities
- Mentoring
- A supportive team environment including an allocated legal assistant and a supportive administrative team
- Generous local government pension scheme
- Guaranteed incremental annual pay increases
- Access to a comprehensive wellbeing package
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounts at selected county leisure centres and much more!
Legal Services are contractually based in Matlock, Derbyshire, but as part of our Modern Ways of Working programme we are currently working on a hybrid basis. As flexible workers, you will be able to work from home. It is a requirement that you will be able to work in the office once per week, attend face to face Court hearings predominantly in Derby and Chesterfield, and meetings, where necessary.
We’re always pleased to hear from talented people so if you’re looking to join a dynamic team and have the skills and experience, we’re looking for, then we’d like to hear from you.
Provisional Interview Date: 13 February 2026
Lawyer (Child Care) employer: East Midlands Jobs
Contact Detail:
East Midlands Jobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lawyer (Child Care)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Derbyshire County Council, especially in the Legal department. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your child protection law knowledge. We recommend going through recent cases or changes in legislation that could come up during your chat with the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your interpersonal skills! During the interview, be sure to highlight your ability to work in a team and how you’ve successfully collaborated with others in past roles. It’s all about fitting into that friendly team vibe!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our dynamic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lawyer (Child Care)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Child Protection Lawyer. We want to see your passion for child welfare and how you can contribute to our Family, Safeguarding and Education Team.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your organisational, motivational, and interpersonal skills in your application. These are key to ensuring an efficient service in our legal department, so let us know how you've used these skills in your previous roles!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. Avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at East Midlands Jobs
✨Know Your Child Protection Law
Make sure you brush up on the latest child protection laws and relevant case studies. Being able to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation will show your passion and expertise in the field.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Since advocacy is a key part of the role, prepare examples of your past experiences where you've successfully represented clients or argued cases. Practising your delivery can help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
This role involves working closely with a team, so be ready to talk about how you collaborate with others. Share specific instances where you’ve contributed to a team’s success or supported colleagues in challenging situations.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and the hybrid working model. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
