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- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice and representation in child protection matters.
- Company: Join Lambeth Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to equity, kindness, and accountability.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Advocate with childcare law experience.
The predicted salary is between 61686 - 64938 £ per year.
Overview
Children\’s Social Care Advocate x2 posts
PO7: Starting salary £61,686 pa rising in annual increments to £64,938 per annum incl LW plus £5,000 pa 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
About Us
It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth. To deliver on these ambitions, we have embarked our transformational One Lambeth Programme ensuring we are ‘connected by purpose,’ in everything we do to deliver excellence. We are proud to have recently developed a refreshed set of One Lambeth Values and Behaviours that were develop for staff by staff; Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability. For more information, please have a look at our dedicated One Lambeth Values and Behaviours page
About the Borough
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London\’s largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community.
With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas\’s Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.
About the Team
Lambeth Legal Services is an in-house practice, committed to providing a high quality, effective and value for money legal service to the Council\’s support officers and members, to ensure that the Council exercises its powers and duties lawfully.
We are passionate about driving excellence and innovation to ensure we meet the evolving needs of our borough, and our council. Lambeth is a vibrant and diverse borough with immense potential, and we are committed to contributing to positive change within our communities, building on its strengths while addressing the challenges we face.
We are embarking on a period of transformation, building an operating model that meets the needs of the business and aligns with the council’s strategic objectives.
Legal Services is committed to the Law Society\’s Practice Management Standard (Lexcel).
You will be joining a specialist child litigation team which offers expert legal advice and support to the Council in all aspects of child protection and welfare law.
The team prides itself on being able to provide cost effective high quality, accurate, strategic, solutions focused legal advice and representation to the Council, upholding our values of equity, kindness, accountability and ambition
You will work within a friendly, supportive, collaborative team environment.
The Role
We are looking for a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX Advocate 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.
The successful candidate will be expected to provide advocacy as an in-house advocate in Social Services matters to include contested and final hearings of up to 14 days including care, placement, adoption, DOL and private law proceedings:
- You will need to be able to deliver at pace, specialist advice on complex legal matters that is informed by appropriate legal and factual analysis and identifies the consequences of different options, as required with minimum supervision in a variety of forums.
- 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 need to be enthusiastic, highly organised, proactive, flexible, able to work under pressure, manage competing deadlines and work as part of a team and on your own initiative. We are looking for individuals with a real commitment to the job.
- You will support the Principal Social Care Lawyer in meeting operational requirements, service level agreements and performance targets.
- You will build and maintain excellent client relations acting as a role model to achieve service and council wide objectives.
- This post requires a qualified solicitor, barrister, or CILEx with a current practising certificate and experience of working in childcare/child litigation.
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 www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs.
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 ERae2@Lambeth.gov.uk
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 Sunday 28 September 2025.
Shortlisting: 29 and 30 September 2025.
Interviews will be held from 6 to 10 October 2025.
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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Advocate employer: London Borough Of Lambeth
Contact Detail:
London Borough Of Lambeth Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advocate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Lambeth Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to child protection and welfare law. We recommend role-playing with a friend to get comfortable discussing your experience and how it aligns with Lambeth's values of equity, kindness, accountability, and ambition.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the role! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in Lambeth’s communities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the position can leave a lasting impression. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Advocate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how your values align with our One Lambeth Values and Behaviours. Share specific examples that highlight your commitment to equity, ambition, kindness, and accountability.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an 'A'. This is your chance to show us why you're the perfect fit for the Advocate role, so be specific and relevant!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we love a friendly tone, remember to keep it professional. Use clear language and structure your application well. A well-organised application makes it easier for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application. Plus, make sure to remove any personal details from your CV or personal statement since we operate an anonymised application process.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough Of Lambeth
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of childcare law and the specific legal frameworks relevant to Lambeth Council. Familiarise yourself with recent cases and legislation that could impact your role as an Advocate. This will show your commitment and expertise during the interview.
✨Embrace the Values
Lambeth Council has a strong focus on their One Lambeth Values: Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability. Think about how you can demonstrate these values in your answers. Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight how you've embodied these principles in your work.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
As an Advocate, you'll need to provide high-quality representation. Be ready to discuss your advocacy experience in detail. Prepare a few scenarios where you successfully navigated complex legal matters or represented clients effectively, showcasing your ability to deliver under pressure.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, and how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.