Child Care Solicitor

Department: Child Care

Overview: You will form an important part of our team, providing expertise to parents, grandparents, other family members, interveners and children directly or through their CAFCASS appointed Children’s Guardian. Responsibilities include due diligence on Legal Aid applications and CCMS procedures, court preparation (bundles, instructing counsel), and ensuring a first-class service.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage and supervise colleagues (solicitors, trainees, caseworkers/paralegals).
• Deliver training and development within the team.
• Handle a varied public law children caseload (e.g., Care Orders, Supervision Orders, EPOs, Police Protection Orders, SGOs, Placement & Adoption Orders, Pre-Proceedings, Child Protection Conferences, Domestic Abuse applications, CAO/PSO/SIO).
• Due diligence and all Legal Aid/CCMS procedures; court attendance and advocacy.
• Business development, networking and marketing to grow work volumes.

Performance measures: Client satisfaction, ability to work under pressure and to deadlines, running own caseload, quality of drafting, time-recording and fee targets.

Person specification:

• Child Care Solicitor (typically 3+ PQE; applications welcomed from 1–10+ PQE).
• Children Panel accreditation desirable; advocacy experience an advantage.
• Strong client care, drafting and communication skills; ability to support vulnerable clients.
• Familiar with legal case management systems; strong BD skills.

Package & working pattern: 26 days annual leave + bank holidays, birthday off after 1 year, pension, Medicash, flexible/hybrid working (3 days office / 2 days home), social events, internal progression, potential bonus.