At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex public children law cases and provide high-quality legal advice.
- Company: Join a respected local authority legal service dedicated to safeguarding families.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for mentoring and contributing to service development in a collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals through impactful legal work.
- Qualifications: Solicitor or Barrister with experience in public children law and strong advocacy skills.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 € per year.
Your new company
You will be joining a well-established and highly regarded local authority legal service, recognised for delivering high-quality legal advice across a broad range of public sector matters. Operating at the heart of decision-making, the team plays a vital role in supporting the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and families, working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to achieve the best possible outcomes. The service is collaborative, forward-thinking and committed to professional development, offering the opportunity to work on complex, meaningful cases within a supportive and well-resourced environment.
Your new role
As a Senior Lawyer within the Children and Families team, you will manage a busy and varied caseload focused primarily on public children law, including section 31 care proceedings and Deprivation of Liberty matters. You will be responsible for handling complex and sensitive cases from start to finish, providing high-quality legal advice and representation, including advocacy in contested hearings. You will work closely with clients to deliver clear, strategic and solution-focused guidance, often within politically sensitive environments. You will be supported by a Legal Officer, who will assist with case preparation, drafting and evidence gathering, alongside a dedicated business support team handling bundling and administrative tasks. In addition to your caseload, you may contribute to mentoring junior colleagues, delivering training to clients, and supporting wider service development. This is a role where your expertise, professionalism and ability to influence will have a direct impact on outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
Contract details:
- Duration: Initial contract to end of October 2026 (with potential for extension)
- Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
- Working pattern: Hybrid (c. 1 day per week in the office, flexibility considered)
What you'll need to succeed
- Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister (with litigation rights) or CILEX Lawyer (with advocacy certificate), with a current practising certificate
- Strong experience in public children law, including section 31 proceedings and related applications
- Proven advocacy skills, with confidence representing clients in contested hearings
- Excellent case management skills, with the ability to handle complex, high-volume workloads with minimal supervision
- Strong analytical and drafting skills, with the ability to provide clear, practical advice on complex legal issues
- Ability to build effective working relationships and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders
- A proactive, solution-focused approach and the ability to work in a politically sensitive environment
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
Senior Family Lawyer in Manchester employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Join a well-established local authority legal service that prioritises the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and families. With a collaborative and forward-thinking work culture, you will have access to professional development opportunities while managing complex cases in a supportive environment. The hybrid working model and commitment to mentoring ensure that your expertise will not only influence outcomes for vulnerable individuals but also foster your own growth within the team.
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Family Lawyer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in public children law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to advocacy and case management. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past cases to interviews, highlighting your analytical skills and how you’ve navigated complex legal issues. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Family Lawyer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in public children law and advocacy skills. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant cases you've worked on!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about working in this field and how your skills can contribute to our team. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Soft Skills:While your legal expertise is crucial, don’t forget to highlight your ability to build relationships and communicate effectively. We value collaboration, so let us know how you’ve worked with stakeholders in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on public children law, especially section 31 care proceedings and Deprivation of Liberty matters. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just qualified, but genuinely knowledgeable about the field.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your advocacy skills during the interview. Think of examples where you've successfully represented clients in contested hearings. This is your chance to shine, so be ready to talk about how you navigated complex situations and achieved positive outcomes.
✨Highlight Your Case Management Experience
Be prepared to discuss your experience managing a busy caseload. Share specific examples of how you've handled high-volume workloads with minimal supervision. This will reassure them that you can thrive in their fast-paced environment.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, think of ways you've built effective working relationships in the past. Be ready to share stories that illustrate your communication skills and your proactive, solution-focused approach.
