JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Solicitor
Department: Care and Private Children Department
About Our Company:
We are a modern law firm with a progressive and ambitious team of lawyers supported by excellent staff. We are able to provide expertise in a wide range of legal subjects including family and childcare cases, property, wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney and litigation.
We have a wide geographical spread throughout South Wales with offices at Aberdare, Hirwaun, Merthyr Tydfil, Blackwood and Porth. We act not only for local people but have clients nationwide.
We cater for clients who wish to call into our offices to meet their solicitor or legal adviser face to face, those who prefer dealing by telephone and those whose preferred means of communication is e-mail. We blend traditional values in a solicitors practice with modern technology and I.T. Systems.
Our staff have a culture of caring, genuinely wanting to help and treating our client’s interests as paramount. We are committed to providing an excellent service that meets the needs of our clients and achieves our firms’ values. These values are: -
- Integrity: provide honest and trustworthy advice with transparent fees.
- Quality: provide a high-quality service for clients at all times.
- Efficiency: provide expert and timely advice whilst offering value for money.
- Happy: provide a happy place to work for our colleagues and a kind and caring environment for clients.
- Progress: provide positive results for clients and training opportunities for colleagues to drive the business forward.
As a company, we pride ourselves on a healthy environment for our employees and clients. We value the hard work and dedication of all our staff, recognising their vital contribution to our daily operations.
The Role:
The main purpose of this role is to provide legal advice and services to in relation to care proceedings and related children law matters, under the supervision of the Head of Department. This role will include taking on instructions from new and existing clients in relation to legal matters in your field of expertise. With the appropriate support you will ensure that the highest level of accurate advice and documentation is provided and will work with other departments in the firm and external stakeholders to ensure all the clients’ needs are met.
We expect the candidate to maintain effective and professional relationships with clients and to deploy a full range of legal skills. To act ethically with professionalism and sound judgment whilst also managing their own work effectively and profitably and to adhere to the strict confidentiality requirements associated with the role at all times.
Responsible to: Head of Department.
Responsible for: Providing legal advice and services to their clients, under the supervision of the Head of Department
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a varied workload of public law children matters, including care proceedings, emergency protection orders, adoption and special guardianship.
- provide timely and practical legal advice and documentation to clients using your skills and expertise, attend case conferences, court hearings and client meetings.
- liaise with stakeholders including social workers, Cafcass, local authorities, legal aid agency and counsel
- maintain accurate, complete and clear records
· ensure all client work is progressed expeditiously and that the client is kept regularly informed on progress and costs.
- conduct advocacy where appropriate, or instruct counsel
- at all times, follow the firm's procedures set out in the Office Manual, Policy documents and guidance notes. With particular regard to the compliance requirements of the firm's file opening, file closing, financial and accounts procedures.
- maintain accurate electronic time recording records on the firm’s systems.
- maintain financial control of matters through appropriate billing procedures
- establish and maintain effective professional relations with clients, referrers and others, in accordance with the firms’ standards of client care.
- organise, initiate, plan, prioritise and manage work activities to ensure they are completed efficiently, on time and to an appropriate standard.
- undertake any specific training when required to do so and overall to have a responsibility towards self-development and to behave in accordance with the firm’s Core Values.
- ensure the confidentiality of all the firm's and clients' documentation and information.
- achieve targets set by the Directors for fee income and chargeable hours
- ensure compliance with all statutory frameworks, including the Children Act 1989.
The nature of these responsibilities is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to complete such duties as may reasonably be expected within their capability including any relevant training.
Personal Specification:
· Essential:
· Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive.
· 3 years minimum Post Qualified Experience, candidates with less PQE will be considered dependent upon experience.
Be able to demonstrate: -
· a detailed knowledge and technical expertise in dealing with all matters within your specialism. As well has having an in-depth understanding of the legal processes in the required department’s area of expertise.
· maintain sufficient competence and legal knowledge to work effectively by take responsibility for own development and keep up to date with changes in law and procedure in field of expertise.
· have a basic understanding of the SRA’s accounting rules.
· a drive to succeed and a high level of motivation.
· a commercial awareness and the ability to network to develop the department.
· the ability to work effectively as part of a team but also demonstrate an ability to work independently.
· excellent client care skills and an ability to conduct advocacy at court.
· act honestly, with discretion and integrity at all times, in accordance with the law and regulatory requirements.
· use a high degree of self-management and initiative.
· good communication and organisational skills.
· be IT literate and experienced in using case management systems.
· avoid working outside of your area of knowledge and competence, seeking guidance and support where needed.
· apply understanding, critical thinking and analysis to solve problems.
· demonstrate a professional and efficient approach to managing own work.
· have an understanding of the peer review system and the importance of well organised and well documented files.
· demonstrate initiative and seeking ways of continuously improving processes.
· take personal responsibility and accountability for own work and the work of the department.
· Good time management skills.
· Familiarity with health and safety regulations.
· In depth knowledge of Legal Aid
· Children Panel Accreditation (or willingness to work towards it)
Vacancy: Solicitor (min 3 years PQE) - Care & Private Children Law Department
Location: Aberdare and Porth, travel may be required between all offices.
Salary: Competitive – dependent on experience
Job type: Permanent Full time.
If you are looking to work in a value driven, progressive legal firm, with excellent development opportunities and a competitive salary and benefits package, then GGP Law could be for you. The firm offers professional advice and representation with a level of concern and understanding that only the most experienced lawyers can provide.
We are currently recruiting for an experienced and motivated Care Solicitor to join our Care and Private Children Law Department. This is a rewarding opportunity to work on behalf of GGP Law in delivering high quality legal services in public childcare law.
The successful candidate will be accountable to the Head of Department and responsible for managing a varied caseload of care proceedings and related children law matters, providing expert legal advice and representation in a fast-paced but supportive environment.
The right candidate will be friendly, dedicated and a team player who can manage competing priorities. You will have proven experience in childcare law / care proceedings, strong advocacy skills, excellent organisational and communication skills, be committed to achieving the best outcome for children and families.
In return you will get the opportunity to work with a great, hard-working team where you will expand your skills and knowledge within the sector. You will also receive a competitive salary (dependent on experience) and an attractive benefits package that includes: -
· employer pension contribution scheme
· cashback Healthcare Scheme (subject to successful probationary period)
· generous leave policy linked to time served
· a day off for your birthday
· family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and parental leave
· excellent training and development opportunities.
Candidates will need a driving licence and access to a vehicle. All applicants must be eligible to work in the U.K. and will be asked to provide evidence of this eligibility at interview.
For an informal discussion regarding this role please contact 01685 885500 and ask for either Mrs Alexandra Jones or Mrs Sara Green.
Please forward your CV to:
Mrs Kelly Wells, Practice Director, GGP Law, 17-19 Cardiff Street, Aberdare, CF44 7DP.
Email: [email protected]
Closing date: Midnight Sunday 5th July 2026
Please note that we are not accepting agency CVs for this role.
Benefits:
- Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person
