Social Care & Education Childcare Lawyer

• Salary range: Grade 12-16 (career progression) £51,738- £64,839 p.a. plus fantastic benefits
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours of work: 36 hours per week
• Location: Croydon

Childcare Lawyer

Social Care & Education Legal Team – Croydon Council

Croydon is one of London’s largest and most diverse boroughs, home to vibrant communities, businesses and neighbourhoods. As a Council, we continue to transform the way we work, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality, sustainable services for our residents.

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Childcare Lawyer to join our Social Care & Education Legal Team.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and experienced legal team undertaking varied, challenging and rewarding work on behalf of Children’s Services.

About the role

You will provide high-quality legal advice and representation on a broad range of public law children matters, working closely with social workers, senior managers and other professionals.

Your responsibilities will include

• Managing a varied caseload of childcare and public law children matters.
• Advising on care proceedings, pre-proceedings and the Public Law Outline.
• Advising on applications under the Children Act 1989, including care orders, supervision orders, emergency protection orders and secure accommodation.
• Providing legal advice at legal planning and pre-proceedings meetings.
• Drafting applications, orders, threshold documents, statements, position statements and other court documentation.
• Conducting advocacy in the Family Court where appropriate and instructing Counsel in more complex matters.
• Advising Children’s Services on issues including parental responsibility, contact, assessments, placement decisions, disclosure and evidence.
• Ensuring cases are progressed effectively and in accordance with court directions and statutory timescales.
• Developing positive and effective working relationships with colleagues across Legal Services and Children’s Services.

About you

You will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with relevant experience of childcare and public law children work.

You will have

• A good working knowledge of the Children Act 1989, relevant legislation and Family Court procedure.
• Experience of advising on and conducting public law children proceedings.
• Strong legal drafting, advocacy and negotiation skills.
• The ability to provide clear, practical and proportionate legal advice.
• The ability to manage a busy and demanding caseload and work effectively to court deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The confidence to advise officers and senior managers on complex and sensitive matters.
• A collaborative approach and commitment to delivering a high-quality legal service.
• Previous local government experience would be advantageous but is not essential where you can demonstrate relevant transferable experience.

What we offer

• You will join a supportive Social Care & Education Legal Team where you will have the opportunity to undertake interesting and complex work that makes a real contribution to the lives of children and families in Croydon.
• Croydon Council supports flexible and hybrid working, subject to the requirements of the role, including attendance at court, client meetings and other in-person commitments where necessary.
• To view the Social Care and Education Childcare Lawyer role profile please clickhere