Job Purpose
To provide expert legal advice, representation, and support to Children's Social Care services in relation to safeguarding, adoption, care proceedings, and other child protection matters. The postholder will manage a varied caseload, represent the Council in legal proceedings, attend key decision-making panels, and ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services that safeguard the welfare of children and support the Council's statutory responsibilities.
- Manage a caseload of childcare matters, including care proceedings, pre-proceedings (PLO), adoption, special guardianship, deprivation of liberty (DoLS), secure accommodation applications, discharge applications, and other non-care matters.
- Provide legal advice and support to Children's Social Care teams on safeguarding and child protection issues.
- Attend and provide legal advice at Legal Planning Meetings (LPM) and other multi-disciplinary forums.
- Prepare and review legal documentation, court applications, witness statements, disclosure requests, and redaction exercises.
- Represent the Council in court proceedings and hearings, undertaking advocacy where qualified and appropriate.
- Advise on legal risks, statutory duties, and procedural requirements relating to childcare law matters.
- Participate in duty lawyer sessions and provide responsive legal support to Children's Services.
- Ensure all case files and records are maintained in accordance with Lexcel standards and regulatory requirements.
- Support the Head of Team in delivering service objectives, corporate priorities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Liaise effectively with social workers, senior managers, Counsel, external agencies, and court representatives to ensure positive outcomes for children and families.
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX) with rights of audience and conduct of litigation, holding a current practising certificate.
- Minimum of 2 years' post-qualification experience in childcare law within a Local Authority setting.
- Proven experience managing care proceedings and Public Law Outline (PLO) pre-proceedings cases.
- Experience handling Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS), Secure Accommodation, Special Guardianship Order (SGO), Adoption, Discharge, Disclosure, and Redaction matters.
- Strong knowledge of childcare legislation, safeguarding frameworks, and court procedures.
- Ability to provide practical and solution-focused legal advice to Children's Social Care professionals.
- Excellent drafting, advocacy, negotiation, and case management skills.
- Experience maintaining Lexcel-compliant case files and legal records.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage a busy and varied caseload.
- Ability to undertake advocacy in childcare proceedings.
- Location: Tooley Street, London
- Hours per Week: 36 hours per week (Monday–Friday, 9:30am–5:30pm with a 1-hour break)
- Payment: Bi-weekly payments
