Childcare Solicitor in North East

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Childcare Solicitor to join an established team, managing a complex public children and care proceedings caseload with clear opportunities for career progression and increased responsibility.

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Childcare Solicitor to join a well-established law firm in Tyne & Wear, specialising in public children law and care proceedings. You will manage your own caseload of complex and sensitive matters, advising and representing children, parents and family members throughout care proceedings. Your work will include child protection matters, emergency applications, placement and adoption matters, special guardianship and discharge applications, alongside related children law proceedings.

You will be responsible for progressing matters from instruction through to conclusion, managing urgent deadlines, preparing for hearings and conferences, reviewing evidence and working closely with counsel and other professionals involved in each case. The role will also involve developing relationships with children's guardians, local authorities, experts, support services and other professional contacts. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of junior colleagues, sharing your technical knowledge and providing guidance and support where appropriate. There will also be scope to contribute to business development and raise your professional profile through networking and relationship building.

The successful candidate will be a qualified Solicitor with a minimum of 6 years' PQE and substantial experience in care proceedings and public children law. Current membership of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme / Children Panel is essential, together with a strong understanding of legal aid, court processes, case management and safeguarding requirements. You will be confident handling a busy and demanding caseload and able to remain calm and professional when dealing with urgent and sensitive matters. Excellent client care and communication skills are essential, particularly when supporting vulnerable clients through difficult circumstances. The ideal candidate will have an established following and own caseload, together with a collaborative approach and an interest in developing their profile and contributing to the wider team.

This opportunity is with an established and award-winning law firm based in Sunderland, with a long-standing reputation for providing high quality legal services to individuals and businesses. The firm places a strong emphasis on its people, offering a supportive working environment and structured career development. There is a clear opportunity for the successful candidate to progress towards a more senior role, including Associate Solicitor, supervisory responsibility and wider departmental leadership. The role offers a competitive benefits package including 27 days' holiday plus Christmas Eve, pension, group life insurance, health benefits, a 24/7 employee support helpline, regular firm-wide social events and discounted legal services.

At eNL we value diversity and inclusion. We want to attract people at all levels and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates whatever your ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any characteristics protected by law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.