Senior Childcare Lawyer

Spirehouse are currently supporting a well-regarded local authority seeking to appoint a remote Senior Childcare Lawyer on a locum basis to strengthen its Children's Services legal team.

The Opportunity

This is a senior role offering a high-impact mix of complex public law children work, advisory responsibilities and advocacy within a busy and respected local government legal service.

Type: Full time

Duration: 6 months initially, likely extension

Location: Central England

Working pattern: Remote

Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Provide clear, robust legal advice to Children's Services, senior officers and other stakeholders on a wide range of childcare and public law matters
• Manage a complex caseload from pre-proceedings and Legal Planning Meetings through to final hearings
• Advise on and conduct care proceedings, including applications for interim and final care orders, supervision orders and other public law orders
• Draft high-quality legal documents including applications, threshold documents, statements, case summaries, care plans and instructions to experts
• Handle complex cases involving issues such as non-accidental injury, contested evidence, placement applications, Special Guardianship Orders and other sensitive childcare matters
• Work closely with social workers, senior managers, CAFCASS, Counsel and other professionals to progress cases effectively
• Provide legal advice on statutory duties, human rights and wider issues arising within Children's Services

Requirements

• Strong post-qualification experience in childcare and public law children work – Essential
• Experience managing a complex caseload from pre-proceedings – Essential
• Strong knowledge of the Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act 2002 and associated statutory frameworks – Essential
• Experience advising local authority Children's Services – Essential
• The ability to manage a demanding caseload independently and provide clear, practical legal advice to social care professionals and senior stakeholders - Essential

Spirehouse Recruitment is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency. We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all individuals.