At a Glance
- Tasks: Advocate for children's rights in public law childcare proceedings and support families.
- Company: Join the South London Legal Partnership, a supportive in-house legal team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a focus on work-life balance.
- Other info: Strong management support and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a fulfilling advocacy role.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with public law experience.
The predicted salary is between 60573 - 70203 € per year.
The 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.
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
- Delivering training to social work clients and legal colleagues, supporting continuous professional development
About You:
- 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.
Childcare Advocate in Merton employer: South London Legal Partnership
The South London Legal Partnership is an exceptional employer for Childcare Advocates, offering a supportive and collegiate environment that prioritises work-life balance and professional development. With a focus on high-quality public law advocacy, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, strong management support, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's lives through complex care proceedings. The partnership's commitment to continuous learning and collaboration ensures that advocates can thrive in their roles while contributing to robust public law outcomes.
Contact Detail:
South London Legal Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childcare Advocate in Merton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the childcare and public law sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to childcare advocacy. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your insights on child protection and public law. This will demonstrate your passion and knowledge, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨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 and engaged with our mission to support children and families.
We think you need these skills to ace Childcare Advocate in Merton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Childcare Advocate role. Highlight your experience in public law and child protection, and show us how your skills align with what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Advocacy Skills:Since this role is all about advocacy, don’t forget to include specific examples of your advocacy work. Tell us about cases you've handled, the outcomes, and how you’ve made a difference in child protection.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to see your communication skills shine through, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at South London Legal Partnership
✨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 practically in your role as a Childcare Advocate.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Prepare examples of your past advocacy experiences, especially in public law childcare proceedings. Be ready to discuss how you've managed complex cases and what strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
This role involves working closely with social workers and legal colleagues, so highlight your teamwork skills. Share instances where you've successfully collaborated on case strategies or contributed to a supportive team environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team structure and the types of cases you'll be handling. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to the strong advocacy culture at SLLP.
