At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on children's social care law and manage complex cases.
- Company: Well-established local authority legal team with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, ongoing professional development, and leadership opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and contribute to strategic decision-making.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or FCILEX with experience in children's social care law.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
- Senior Child Care Lawyer
- Temporary Ongoing | Hybrid Working
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Child Care Lawyer to join a well-established local authority legal team, providing specialist legal advice on complex children's social care matters and helping to shape strategic decision-making across the organisation.
The Role
You will provide expert legal advice and representation across the full spectrum of children's social care law, supporting senior officers, elected members and service departments on complex and sensitive matters.
You will be responsible for a substantial caseload of care proceedings and other public law matters, whilst also contributing to the leadership and management of the legal service.
Key responsibilities include
- Advising on all aspects of children's social care law, including child protection, care proceedings, adoption and related public law matters.
- Managing a complex caseload of high-risk and sensitive matters from instruction through to conclusion.
- Conducting advocacy and attending court hearings where appropriate.
- Advising senior leaders, committees and decision-makers on legal and governance issues.
- Supervising and mentoring lawyers, legal assistants and support staff within the Child Care team.
- Supporting the operational management of Legal Services and deputising for senior legal leadership when required.
- Delivering training and legal updates to internal stakeholders.
- Contributing to policy development, service improvement initiatives and strategic projects.
- Instructing and managing external counsel as required.
About You
- A qualified Solicitor, Barrister or FCILEX.
- Experienced in children's social care law and local government practice.
- Confident handling complex care proceedings and associated litigation.
- Comfortable advising senior stakeholders on legal risk and governance matters.
- An effective advocate with excellent case management skills.
- Experienced in supervising, mentoring or managing legal staff.
- Able to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues across the organisation.
- Committed to delivering practical, solution-focused legal advice.
Essential Experience
- Significant experience advising on children's social care law.
- Extensive experience conducting complex and high-risk child care cases.
- To be familiar with using Iken Cloud as a Case Management system
- Willingness and ability to undertake own advocacy on family matters
- Experience advising senior management, members, boards or committees.
- Experience contributing to policy development and organisational decision-making.
- Experience supervising or managing legal professionals.
- What's on Offer
- Challenging and rewarding public sector legal work.
- Exposure to complex and high-profile cases.
- Leadership and people management responsibilities.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- Ongoing professional development opportunities.
- A collaborative and supportive legal team environment.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children, young people and families.
If you are an experienced Child Care Lawyer looking to take the next step into a senior position with strategic influence and leadership responsibility, we would welcome your application.
Childcare Lawyer in London employer: Jobiqo
Bromley Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package, including a local government pension scheme and unique discounts, the Council prioritises employee well-being and career growth. Located in the vibrant Bromley Civic Centre, you will be part of a team that plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the borough while enjoying the balance of urban and suburban life.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childcare Lawyer in London
✨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 Jobiqo.
✨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 Jobiqo 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 Jobiqo.
We think you need these skills to ace Childcare Lawyer in London
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 Jobiqo and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobiqo
✨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 Childcare Lawyer role at Jobiqo. 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 Jobiqo.
