Children's Solicitor

Children's Solicitor – Contract Opportunity Location: Swindon Rate: £60.00 per hour (Umbrella) Contract: Length to Be Confirmed Hours: Full Time Pay: Bi-Weekly Summary We are seeking a seasoned Children's Solicitor to join a Local Authority Legal Services team. This role involves delivering expert legal advice and representation on a wide array of Children's Social Care issues.

The successful candidate will manage a personal caseload of public law childcare matters, offer strategic legal counsel, and represent the Council in court. This position is ideal for a self-assured and experienced local government lawyer who thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced setting, providing practical and solution-oriented legal advice.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee a caseload of intricate Children's Social Care legal matters. Deliver prompt and precise legal advice to Children's Services and senior officers. Provide counsel on: Child Protection Pre-Proceedings Public Law Outline (PLO) Care Proceedings Emergency Applications Adoption Matters Placement Orders Supervision Orders Special Guardianship Orders Draft legal documents, applications, pleadings, witness statements, and court bundles.

Conduct advocacy when necessary. Represent the Council in Family Court proceedings. Advise Social Workers and managers on safeguarding and legal interventions. Offer legal support from Legal Planning Meetings through to final hearings. Participate in internal meetings, case conferences, and court hearings. Mentor trainee solicitors, legal assistants, and support officers as needed.

Maintain accurate case records using legal case management systems. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and professional standards. Essential Requirements Requirements: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practising certificate. Extensive experience in Children's Social Care Law. Strong knowledge of: Children Act 1989 Adoption and Children Act 2002 Family Procedure Rules Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations Experience handling: Pre-Proceedings Care Proceedings Adoption Applications Placement Orders Child Protection Matters Proficiency in drafting court documentation and legal pleadings.

Advocacy experience in Family Courts. Experience advising Social Workers and Children's Services professionals. Capability to manage cases from Legal Planning Meetings through to final hearings. Excellent communication, drafting, negotiation, and case management skills. Ability to handle a demanding caseload with minimal supervision.

Desirable Experience in Local Government legal work. Experience advising on private law proceedings, including Section 7 and Section 37 reports. Experience supporting adoption processes from ADM advice through to contested adoption hearings. Knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty matters involving children. Experience attending and advising committees and senior leadership teams.

Experience mentoring trainee solicitors or junior legal staff. What's on Offer? £60.00 per hour (Umbrella) Contract Length to Be Confirmed Bi-Weekly Pay Opportunity to work within a dynamic and supportive Local Authority legal team. Diverse and challenging Children's Social Care caseload. Opportunity to impact outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Exposure to complex safeguarding, adoption, and public law proceedings. High level of autonomy and responsibility. This role is suitable for candidates with experience as a Children's Solicitor, Childcare Solicitor, Senior Childcare Lawyer, Family Solicitor, Public Law Solicitor, Local Government Lawyer, Care Proceedings Solicitor, Adoption Solicitor, or Senior Children's Services Lawyer.