In-House Advocate (Child Care)

Overview

Ready to work independently and act on your initiative? This role requires flexibility, including outside normal office hours when necessary. A local authority background would be an advantage, but we also welcome experience in private practice. Alternatively, you could be a counsel who has completed pupillage or a professional who has built transferable skills in another in-house role. Wherever you\’ve worked, you must have a good working knowledge of local government law as well as childcare legislation. You must be able to formulate and present robust legal arguments before the Courts, both orally and in writing, within hearings of varying lengths and complexity. You should have initiative, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and commitment to the job. You will work within a friendly, welcoming and supportive team where your professional development will be nurtured and appreciated. With your dedication to the role, you\\\’ll have what it takes to change a child\\\’s world.

Note: This role is subject to a Basic Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Equal Opportunities

Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and, as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace.

We are committed to meeting our four equality objectives:

• Promoting equality of opportunity
• Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage
• Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels
• Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent services to all

Respecting Diversity is a core Council value.

To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in recruitment activities, the council operates an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until shortlisting decisions have been considered. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the Disability Confident scheme. For more information, please refer to our policy.

For a confidential conversation about this role, please contact Brian Gallagher by phone on 07716 098175.

Closing date: 19 September 2025. Interview dates: 30 September, 1, 2 & 3 October 2025. For further information or to apply, please click on the Enquire/Apply button below.

Salary: £68,784 – £72,399 plus a Golden Hello payment of £3,000.

Role details

Full of energy and culture, Waltham Forest is a progressive and innovative borough with a Legal Service to match. We provide the best possible legal service to our diverse client departments through our highly skilled legal professionals. As an In-house Advocate, you will represent Children\\\’s Social Care teams and be a specialist in childcare law. Part of our Lexcel-accredited practice, you will be a key member of our Families team. Your role will involve giving advice on relevant legislation and providing representation in the Family Court to the children\\\’s social care teams, covering all aspects of childcare law. It means delivering a legal service that meets all Council, professional and legal requirements in line with our business and service plans.

Qualifications

To join us, you must be a qualified Barrister, Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with ideally High Rights of Audience. A childcare specialist, you\\\’ll be confident and capable.

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