At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal advice and support to Children's Services, managing complex cases.
- Company: Local authority focused on children's welfare and legal support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay rate of £39.19 per hour and valuable experience.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your legal skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with children's social care experience.
The predicted salary is between 39.19 - 39.19 £ per hour.
Location: Po Box 500, Middlesbrough, TS1 9FT
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 2+ Months
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: PAYE: £39.19 per hour
Job Responsibilities:
- Provide specialist legal advice and support to Children’s Services within the local authority.
- Manage a caseload of complex children’s social care legal matters, including care proceedings and child protection cases.
- Advise social workers, managers, and senior officers on legal issues relating to children and families.
- Prepare and draft legal documents, statements, applications, and court submissions.
- Represent the council in court proceedings and attend hearings where required.
- Provide advice on pre-proceedings work, including Public Law Outline (PLO) processes.
- Ensure all legal work is completed in line with relevant legislation, court procedures, and local authority policies.
- Work closely with social care teams, external agencies, barristers, and other legal professionals.
- Review evidence, assess legal risks, and provide clear recommendations to support decision-making.
- Maintain accurate case records and ensure deadlines are met.
- Support continuous improvement of legal services through knowledge sharing and best practice.
Person Specification:
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Legal Executive with relevant children’s social care legal experience.
- Experience working within a local authority Children’s Services legal team is desirable.
- Strong knowledge of children’s social care legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and related legal frameworks.
- Experience handling care proceedings, child protection matters, and public law cases.
- Ability to manage a complex caseload and work to tight deadlines.
- Strong advocacy, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Excellent legal drafting and analytical skills.
- Ability to provide clear, practical legal advice to social care professionals.
- Experience representing clients in court proceedings.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider legal team.
- Strong attention to detail with a commitment to high-quality legal practice.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced local authority environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lawyer - Childrens (Interim) in Middlesbrough
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like i-Jobs.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that i-Jobs does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like i-Jobs.
We think you need these skills to ace Lawyer - Childrens (Interim) in Middlesbrough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with i-Jobs and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at i-Jobs
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Lawyer - Childrens (Interim) role at i-Jobs. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at i-Jobs.
