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- Tasks: Manage diverse childcare cases and provide expert legal advice to safeguard children.
- Company: Join a supportive, Lexcel accredited legal team at Surrey County Council.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26-31 days holiday, flexible working, and lifestyle discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in child protection while developing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Solicitor or barrister with family litigation experience; newly qualified welcome.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career progression and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 47142 - 58953 £ per year.
The salary range for this role is £47,142 to £58,953 per annum, based on working 36-hours per week. This is depending on experience (with a Lawyers Career Scheme providing the opportunity for permanent staff to progress to £58,953). Are you looking for a new opportunity to develop your career in Childcare Law? We are seeking a Child Protection Lawyer to join our fantastic legal team, based at Victoria Gate in Woking. The Council adopts a hybrid working policy with flexible working arrangements which includes coming together in person for 2 days per week on average (40% of the working week). The team are very approachable (even when working remotely!) so there will always be someone to provide you with support and discuss matters.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Role
As a Child Protection Lawyer at Surrey, you will join a supportive, successful and Lexcel accredited in-house legal team that delivers effective legal advice, representation and assistance to the Council. Our team culture is one which is supportive and engaged. We have regular team away days where we connect and collaborate with one another, leaving us feeling motivated and energised about our roles. You will be expected to carry out a range of key responsibilities, which will include:
- Managing a varied and interesting childcare caseload consisting of both pre-proceedings and applications before the Court
- Undertaking advocacy on behalf of the County Council
- Providing expert legal advice to the Council in respect of its duties and responsibilities in respect of children and young people, including those in respect of adoption
You will be supported through training, regular supervision and development plans to continue learning and developing your expertise and so achieve successful progression through the career scheme. If joining us on a permanent basis, you will have the opportunity to join our Lawyers Career Scheme which will allow for accelerated career and salary progression based on performance. Working together with frontline Children's Services to safeguard children, we play a pivotal role in the Council's drive to ensure no one is left behind. We were previously nominated for a STARS in Surrey award for teamwork and get consistently excellent client feedback.
If you are interested in developing and enhancing your existing skills whilst undertaking quality and varied work in the area of child protection, we'd love to hear from you!
A current Lawyer in the team says "As a team lawyer at Surrey County Council, my daily work involves working collaboratively with social workers and other professionals, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each case and fostering a holistic approach to problem-solving. This enables us to develop tailored legal strategies that address the specific needs of the children and families involved in cases spanning a broad-spectrum including PLO proceedings, care proceedings, deprivation of liberty applications, among others. In this role, I have the responsibility of representing and advising clients in diverse childcare cases ranging from initial proceedings to complex matters like adoption and special guardianship. The flexibility provided by agile working enhances my work-life balance, allowing me to adapt my working hours and locations to accommodate personal commitments while fulfilling my professional responsibilities."
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- You are Solicitor, barrister or Fellow of CILEX (with family ligation and advocacy practice rights) who is eligible to practise in England and Wales and has (or be in a position to apply for) a current practicing certificate issued by the relevant regulatory authority.
- You are able to manage a full and varied caseload and deliver innovative solutions with appropriate supervision.
- You have excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills and the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners and professionals.
- You have experience of or an aptitude for advocacy.
- You have an understanding of and are able to uphold the values of Surrey County Council.
- You could be newly qualified or someone with extensive experience in either the private or public sector. We recognise transferable skills and have a track record of supporting Lawyers to further develop their skills in this rewarding area.
- You will be trained and supported to undertake advocacy commensurate with your experience and alongside this will hold a quality caseload of child protection cases.
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 22/02/2026 with interviews to follow. Should you wish to join a large, friendly, dedicated and experienced team of lawyers please click the apply button below to submit your application!
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Locations
Child Protection Lawyer in Surrey, Woking employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Child Protection Lawyer in Surrey, Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current Child Protection Lawyers or legal professionals in your area. Use LinkedIn or local legal events to connect and chat about their experiences. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to Child Protection Law. Think about your past cases and how you can showcase your skills. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for child welfare during interviews. Share stories that highlight your commitment to making a difference in children's lives. This will resonate with potential employers and show them you’re the right fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our fantastic legal team at Surrey County Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Child Protection Lawyer in Surrey, Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Child Protection Lawyer. We want to see how you can bring value to our team, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Showcase Your Advocacy Skills: Since advocacy is a key part of this role, be sure to include examples of your advocacy experience in your application. Whether it's through previous roles or relevant cases, we want to know how you've effectively represented clients in the past.
Communicate Clearly: Your written application should reflect your excellent communication skills. Keep it clear, concise, and professional while still letting your personality shine through. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively with both colleagues and clients.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Child Protection Law
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in childcare law and relevant legislation. Familiarise yourself with key cases and how they relate to the role. This will not only show your passion for the field but also demonstrate your commitment to providing effective legal advice.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Prepare to discuss your advocacy experience in detail. Think of specific examples where you've successfully represented clients or managed complex cases. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, as this is crucial in child protection law.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with social workers and other professionals, be ready to talk about your teamwork experiences. Share examples of how you've collaborated to achieve positive outcomes for clients, showcasing your ability to work in a supportive and engaged team environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team culture, ongoing training opportunities, and the Council's approach to child protection. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Plus, it opens up a dialogue that can make you more memorable to the interviewers.
