At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our dynamic team to represent young people in community care and public law cases.
- Company: Just for Kids Law is a leading organisation advocating for children's rights and welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy a mix of office and remote work, competitive salary, and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of children while working in a collaborative and fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: You need a law degree, legal practice course, and be a qualified solicitor or barrister.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, especially underrepresented communities.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 39900 £ per year.
Just for Kids Law are recruiting for a Community Care Lawyer to join our busy and dynamic Legal Team, which comprises award-winning solicitors, paralegals and trainee solicitors working in the field of Youth Justice, Crime and Public Law. The role will assist in the delivery of JFKL’s civil litigation work by representing children and young people to access their community care needs and identifying strategic litigation opportunities while maintaining and managing a caseload.
The post holder will be a qualified solicitor who meets the supervisor standard in public law and/or community care, although there are no requirements for the number of years legal experience. They will have a good understanding and awareness of the principles and practice of representing young people, and of direct client work, providing advice and conducting litigation. The post holder will be highly motivated and be expected to work with a high degree of autonomy as well as being able to work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation. They must also be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment in which they will be expected to produce high-quality work at a consistent rate.
Role Summary:
- Contract term: Full Time, Permanent
- Location: Central London with a mix of office and homeworking
- Hours: 1.0 FTE (35 hours per week)
- Salary: £39,902 – £45,948 depending on experience in a directly equivalent role
- Probation period: 6 months
Just for Kids Law believes in the value of a diverse workforce and encourages applications from people from all ethnic, cultural, religious, and social backgrounds: in particular, black and racialised communities, LGBTQI+ communities. We strive to create a diverse working environment where anyone, regardless of background, can thrive.
Responsibilities:
- Providing high quality advice and representation for individual clients with a high degree of professionalism, and conducting work in such a way as to meet relevant external standards (e.g. Specialist Quality Mark, SRA, BSB and OISC etc.)
- Running and maintaining own caseload of community care and public law cases under supervision.
- Meeting a team financial target.
- Maintaining a culture of client care in terms of service delivery.
- Maintaining a caseload of a reasonable size in order to meet team financial targets.
- Ensuring that all time recording is entered onto the JFKL Case Management System to enable accurate reporting and maximize income.
- Acting as an active member of JFKL legal team, attending meetings and representing the Youth Justice team as and when required.
- Contributing to cross organisational communications, campaigns and other projects.
- Providing legal advice, guidance and support where appropriate.
- Advising other staff within the wider JFKL team on issues relating to their clients where these have a community care component.
- Work closely with the Policy and Campaigning Team to report trends arising from your work and contribute ideas.
Knowledge (Essential/ Desirable):
- Knowledge of the law and policy as it relates to community care and public law with regards to children and young people. (E)
- Detailed knowledge of the duties of the local authority in supporting children and young people in need and in care or leaving care. (E)
- Detailed knowledge of the community care needs and entitlements of children and young people in the justice system. (D)
- Knowledge of the Human Rights Act, and the UNCRC, and how they can be used to put forward Children Rights’ arguments in court. (E)
- Knowledge of the CPR and Judicial Review procedures. (E)
- Knowledge of legal aid requirements, public funding applications and billing files. (E)
- Understanding of the principles and practice of representing young people. (E)
Qualifications and training:
- Degree in law or other Degree and relevant conversion equivalent (E)
- Legal Practice Course or Bar Vocational Course (E)
- Practising solicitor or barrister (E)
How to Apply:
To apply, return a completed equal opportunities monitoring form alongside your CV (no more than 2 sides of A4) and a Cover Letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) outlining your suitability for the role and in particular your experience of: community care work, including use of judicial review; managing a case load in compliance with LAA contract; and approaches to strategic litigation. Applications to humanresources@justforkidslaw.org
Application Deadline: 11:59pm Wednesday 9th July 2025
Interview date: Tuesday 15th July in person, London
If you have any questions about the roles or the recruitment process, please get in touch at humanresources@justforkidslaw.org
Community Care Lawyer employer: Just for Kids Law
Contact Detail:
Just for Kids Law Recruiting Team
humanresources@justforkidslaw.org
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Care Lawyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific laws and policies related to community care and public law for children and young people. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of youth justice and community care. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with others who work in similar roles, as they may provide insights or even referrals that could help you land the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with managing a caseload and how you ensure compliance with legal aid requirements. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your ability to handle high-pressure situations effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Just for Kids Law and their recent initiatives or campaigns. Being knowledgeable about their work will allow you to tailor your conversation during the interview and show your genuine interest in contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Care Lawyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Community Care Lawyer position. Familiarise yourself with Just for Kids Law's mission and values to tailor your application accordingly.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should clearly outline your experience in community care work, particularly your use of judicial review and managing a caseload. Be specific about how your skills align with the role and demonstrate your passion for working with children and young people.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on relevant legal experience, especially in public law and community care. Include any specific cases or projects that showcase your ability to manage a caseload and provide high-quality representation.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in the legal field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Just for Kids Law
✨Know Your Community Care Law
Make sure you have a solid understanding of community care law and public law as it relates to children and young people. Brush up on the relevant legislation, including the Human Rights Act and UNCRC, so you can confidently discuss how these laws apply in practice.
✨Showcase Your Case Management Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience managing a caseload. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully handled cases, ensuring compliance with legal aid requirements and demonstrating your ability to meet financial targets.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've contributed to team projects or supported colleagues in achieving common goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to represent young people effectively. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would approach them, particularly in a fast-paced environment.