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- Tasks: Advocate for children's rights in public law childcare proceedings and support families.
- Company: Join a supportive legal team within the South London Legal Partnership.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a £3,000 Golden Hello for new applicants.
- Other info: Strong management support and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with public law experience.
The predicted salary is between 60573 - 70203 £ per year.
South London Legal Partnership (SLLP) are recruiting an experienced childcare advocate to join its Social Care and Education Team. This role is aimed at advocates who want to focus on high quality public law advocacy and child protection decision‑making, without the commercial pressures of private practice. SLLP provides in-house legal services to the London Boroughs of Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Wandsworth and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. The scale of the partnership offers exposure to complex and challenging care proceedings, while maintaining a supportive and collegiate in-house environment.
Salary: £60,573 to £70,203 (including annually reviewed £7,437 Market Supplement)
Golden Hello: £3,000 for external applicants
Working Pattern: Hybrid working, minimum monthly in the office
Location: Merton (team day Thursday) with attendance at partner boroughs as required
Team Structure: Advocates have no management responsibility and report to Assistant Head of Law and/or Head of Law.
The Role
This is an advocacy focused role, reporting to an Assistant Head of Law within a small specialist team, with no line management responsibilities. You will act as an in-house advocate in public law childcare proceedings and contribute as a trusted subject matter expert across the service.
Main Areas Of The Role Include:
- Acting as an in-house advocate in public law childcare proceedings, representing local authorities in the Family Court
- Conducting advocacy at all stages of proceedings, including CMHs (Case Management Hearings), IRHs (Issues Resolution Hearings) and final hearings
- Preparing, analysing, and progressing cases from issue through to conclusion, with a strong focus on child protection and risk management
- Advising social workers and managers on the application of the Children Act 1989 and related public law frameworks
- Working closely with legal colleagues and frontline professionals on case strategy and decision‑making
- Sharing expertise and good practice across the service and contributing to a strong advocacy culture
- Managing a substantial advocacy caseload while maintaining high professional and ethical standards
- Promoting robust public law outcomes that safeguard children and support families
- Deliver training to social work clients and legal colleagues, supporting continuous professional development
About You
You will be:
- A qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (Fellow of CILEX) with rights of advocacy
- Solid experience in public law children’s work. Experience may be from local government or private practice; prior in-house experience is not essential.
- Excellent drafting, communication, and client care skills
What We Offer
Strong management support within a clearly structured team. This role offers sustained advocacy work, realistic case ownership, hybrid working and a genuine focus on work-life balance, while doing work that has a direct and lasting impact on children’s lives.
For a confidential discussion contact: brian.gallagher@penna.com or 07716 098175
Social Care & Education Advocate employer: London Borough of Merton
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Merton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Care & Education Advocate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the social care and education sector through LinkedIn or local events. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to public law and child protection. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using online resources to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past work to interviews, especially those that highlight your advocacy skills and experience in childcare proceedings. We want to see how you’ve made an impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Care & Education Advocate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Social Care & Education Advocate role. Highlight your relevant experience in public law and child protection, and show us how you can contribute to our supportive team.
Showcase Your Advocacy Skills: Since this role is all about advocacy, don’t forget to emphasise your experience in court proceedings. Share specific examples of cases you've worked on and how you’ve made a difference in child protection decisions.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity with SLLP!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Merton
✨Know Your Public Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the Children Act 1989 and other relevant public law frameworks. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the theory, but that you can apply it in practice.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Prepare examples of your past advocacy experiences, especially in childcare proceedings. Think about specific cases where you made a significant impact and be ready to discuss your approach and outcomes.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Research the South London Legal Partnership and their approach to child protection. Understanding their values and how they operate will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for in a candidate.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team. This could include inquiries about case management strategies or how they support continuous professional development. It shows your genuine interest in the position and the organisation.