Social Care & Education Childcare Lawyer

Salary range: Grade 12-16 (career progression) £51,738- £53,919 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 click here

Croydon Council’s priorities

The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services

• Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
• Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon’s diverse communities and businesses
• Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
• Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
• Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities

Key business plan outcomes:

• Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
• Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
• Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home
• People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
• Croydon Council’s new ways of working

Equal Opportunities Statement

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.