Childcare Advocate (In-House) - 12 MTH FTC

Overview

Childcare Advocate (In-House) – 12 MTH FTC at Southwark Council

Southwark Council’s Safeguarding and Community Services Legal team is seeking an exceptional Childcare Advocate on a 12 month fixed term basis who can directly shape the futures of children and young people across the borough. This role involves contributing to life changing litigation, setting precedents, and driving meaningful change within a council committed to excellence, collaboration and bold ambition for Children’s Services.

What You\’ll Be Doing

• Deliver expert legal advice on complex childcare law to senior management, Officers, Cabinet and committees.
• Represent Southwark Children’s Services in all levels of court, including High Court and Court of Appeal, managing your own advocacy diary.
• Lead on identifying legal issues arising from litigation or changes in statute, developing strategies and solutions.
• Work autonomously on intricate cases while collaborating with senior lawyers and Heads of Service on borough‑wide initiatives.
• Draft, prepare and present reports and legal comments for Cabinet and Council committees, attending meetings as required.
• Advise on governance, risk, and case management strategies within a public law context.
• Act as the in‑house technical expert, representing Southwark’s reputation in court, external networks, Local Family Justice Boards, and working groups.
• Deliver training in house and to the London boroughs who form part of the South London Care Proceedings Project.

What We\’re Looking For

• A current practising certificate as a Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Fellow
• In‑depth knowledge of public and private childcare law, child protection, adoption and fostering.
• Track record of handling complex cases and proactive case management with the ability to deliver innovative solutions under pressure.
• Significant experience conducting advocacy in contested hearings, fact‑finding and final hearings over multiple days.
• Skilled in drafting pleadings, and other complex legal documents.
• Excellent client care with the skills to work collaboratively and inspire trust and confidence in working relationships with in‑house clients and lawyers.
• Integrity and strong negotiation, mediation and listening skills, with the ability to advise and influence at senior levels and within multi‑agency settings.
• Aptitude to develop networks with judiciary, external agencies and legal professionals to raise Southwark’s profile.
• The candidate should be able to attend the office on a monthly basis, subject to court commitments; this role is predominantly court based, and there is no requirement to attend the office a set minimum number of days.

Additional Information

About Southwark Council: Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes and hosting a diverse community. The council is committed to tackling inequalities and advancing Southwark Stands Together to tackle racism, injustice and inequality.

Benefits And More Information: https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Salary Range: £57,678 – £71,742 per annum. This post attracts an additional benefit of £2,724 PA for staff which can be used for benefits or taken as cash.

Recruitment Timetable: Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on 22 September 2025; Interview Date: 6 October 2025.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, with an emphasis on tackling racial inequality. We particularly welcome applications from members of Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management levels. We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for eligible groups.

Requirements

Or as part of our commitment to inclusion, guaranteed interviews are offered for specific groups who meet the minimum role requirements and identify with one of the following: Armed Forces and veterans; currently in care or have previously been in care; if you consider yourself disabled or have a long‑term health condition.

Attachments: Job Description & Person Specification