Senior Social Services Lawyer
Senior Social Services Lawyer

Senior Social Services Lawyer

London Full-Time 59722 - 62922 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our dynamic team to provide expert legal advice in child protection and welfare law.
  • Company: Lambeth Council is committed to quality services and equal opportunities for all.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, a £5,000 welcome bonus, and discounts at local restaurants.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while developing your legal career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEx with childcare litigation experience and team management skills required.
  • Other info: Anonymised application process ensures fairness; we celebrate diversity and support professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 59722 - 62922 £ per year.

Senior Children’s Social Care Lawyer

PO7: starting salary £59,722 per annum rising in annual increments to £62,922 per annum including Inner London Weighing, plus £5000 market supplement

In addition to the salary,we also offer legally qualified new starters a £5,000 welcome bonus which is payable 50% after 6 months and 50% after 12 months in the role.

Hybrid working

Anexciting opportunity has arisen in the Council’slegal department for an Senior Children’s Social Care Lawyerto join our dynamic and specialist child litigation team which offers expert legal advice and support to the Council in all aspects of child protection and welfare law.

We are looking for a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives with management experience, ideally from within the public sector to join our expanding team of experienced professionals and play a vital role in helping to deliver focused, high-quality advice and representation.

This is a varied role, and the successful candidate will be expected to manage a small but busy and challenging caseload whilst supporting the Principal Children’s Social Care Lawyer in the operational management of this specialist legal team. This includes the management, supervision and development of lawyers and paralegals.

  • You will need to be enthusiastic, highly organised, proactive, flexible, able to work under pressure, manage competing deadlines and work as part of a teamand on your own initiative. We are looking for individuals with a real commitment to the job.

  • You will be responsible for ensuring the Council receives cost effective high quality, accurate, strategic, solutions focused legal advice and representation in the areas of childcare law, local government law and such other areas as are allocated from time to time .

  • You will support the Principal Social Care Lawyer in meeting operational requirements, service level agreements and performance targets .

  • You willbuild and maintain excellent client relations acting as a role model to achieve service and council wide objectives.

  • You will have highly competent legal skills and you will be able to deputise effectively for the Principal when required.

  • You will work within a friendly, supportive, collaborative team environment where your professional development will be nurtured and appreciated.

This post requires a qualified solicitor, barrister, or CILEx with a current practising certificate and experience of working in childcare/child litigation and managing teams.

This post is subject to a Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information about the DBS can be found at .

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification in hyperlink below:

Job Description and Person Specification

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ellie Rae at

How to Apply:

If you\’re interested in this opportunity, click on the apply button and complete an online application.

In your supporting statement, please clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an \’A\’ at shortlist stage. We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement.

Recruitment Timelines:

Advert close date: 11:59pm on 25 August 2025.

Shortlisting: 26 August 2025.

Interviews will be held between 1 &3 September 2025.

Other Benefits:

We believe in rewarding our staff. When you join us, you\’ll gain access to a range of benefits, including:

  • Participation in our 5 Staff Networks: Black, Asian, and Multi-Ethnic, LGBTQ+, Disability, Young Professionals, and Women\’s.
  • Generous annual leave entitlement starting from 27 days, increasing to up to 35 days depending on length of service.
  • Membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
  • Hybrid Working.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Occupational Sick Pay based on length of service.
  • Discounts at local restaurants.
  • Discount at our Active Lambeth Gyms.
  • Learning and Development opportunities, including Apprenticeships.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme.
  • Secure Bike Storage facilities at our Town Hall and Civic Centre.
  • Trade Union Membership.

At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role. For a full list of our accreditations, please click here .

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Senior Social Services Lawyer employer: Lambeth Council

Lambeth Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Senior Social Services Lawyers. With a focus on professional development, generous annual leave, and hybrid working options, employees are encouraged to thrive while making a meaningful impact in child protection law. The Council's commitment to diversity and inclusion, alongside competitive benefits such as a welcome bonus and access to various staff networks, makes it an attractive place for legal professionals dedicated to public service.
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Contact Detail:

Lambeth Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Social Services Lawyer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific legal frameworks and recent developments in children's social care law. This will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in this specialised field.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals already working in children's social care law or local government. Attend relevant seminars or workshops to make connections and gain insights that could give you an edge in your application.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your management experience in detail, as this role involves supervising a team. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team or managed a challenging caseload.

✨Tip Number 4

Reach out for an informal chat with Ellie Rae, as mentioned in the job description. This can provide you with valuable insights about the team dynamics and expectations, which you can leverage in your application.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Services Lawyer

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives
Experience in childcare and child litigation
Management and supervisory skills
Strong understanding of child protection and welfare law
Excellent legal research and writing skills
Ability to manage a busy caseload
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Proactive and flexible approach to work
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Client relationship management
Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
Team collaboration and leadership
Commitment to professional development
Knowledge of local government law

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Senior Children’s Social Care Lawyer position. Make sure you understand the responsibilities, qualifications, and skills required. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.

Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an 'A'. Use specific examples from your past experiences to showcase your legal skills, management experience, and commitment to child protection and welfare law.

Anonymise Your Application: Since the application process is anonymised, ensure that all personal details are removed from your CV and personal statement. This includes your name, address, and any other identifying information to maintain the integrity of the process.

Proofread Your Documents: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your CV and supporting statement. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your documents are clear and professional. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

How to prepare for a job interview at Lambeth Council

✨Showcase Your Legal Expertise

Make sure to highlight your qualifications and experience in childcare law during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific cases you've worked on and how they relate to the role, demonstrating your understanding of child protection and welfare law.

✨Demonstrate Management Skills

Since this role involves managing a small team, be ready to share examples of your management experience. Discuss how you've supervised and developed junior lawyers or paralegals, and how you handle operational challenges within a legal team.

✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration

The position requires working as part of a collaborative team. Prepare to talk about your experiences in team settings, how you contribute to a positive team environment, and any strategies you use to maintain excellent client relations.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Think of examples where you've had to manage competing deadlines or navigate complex legal issues, and be ready to explain your thought process.

Senior Social Services Lawyer
Lambeth Council

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