Full time hours on a temporary basis

• Provide legal advice and representation on all aspects of childcare law, including care proceedings, adoption, fostering, and safeguarding matters.
• Manage a caseload of public law childcare matters from initial instruction through to conclusion.
• Advise social workers, senior managers, and elected members on legal issues relating to children and families.
• Prepare and review legal documents, including care applications, court bundles, witness statements, and legal correspondence.
• Represent the local authority or clients in the Family Court and attend hearings, case management conferences, and public law proceedings.
• Advise on statutory responsibilities under the Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act 2002, and other relevant legislation.
• Provide legal support on child protection investigations, looked-after children matters, and special guardianship orders.
• Work closely with social care teams, guardians, barristers, courts, and external agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children.
• Instruct and manage external counsel where appropriate.
• Ensure legal services are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, and professional standards.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records and management information.
• Support the development and delivery of training to social care teams on childcare law and safeguarding issues.

Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All our roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references so please be prepared