Locum Childcare Lawyer

My client is a progressive local authority legal team in the South West of England. Their Legal Services team is seeking to recruit an experienced and dynamic locum lawyer who will undertake a busy childcare caseload within their child protection team.

This is an on-going assignment and will currently last until at least the financial year end, but most likely beyond this.

The team themselves are Lexcel accredited and hold themselves to high standards in the provision of quality legal advice. The department is busy but friendly with all Lawyers undertaking all aspects of care and adoption work. The team all have detailed knowledge of child care and adoption law and are seeking an individual who will bring with them good advocacy experience of contested and complex matters in both the FPC and County Court.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or FILEx with a current practicing certificate. The candidate will need a firm understanding of child protection law and have a proven track record in a suitable setting, ideally local government. The ideal applicant will be comfortable working with minimal supervision and possess excellent interpersonal, persuasive and negotiating skills.

Duties will include:

• Advising the Director of Children's Services in respect of child protection issues
• Managing a full care caseload
• Undertaking advocacy at all stages
• Participating as a member of the Duty Rota
• Attending Legal Planning Meetings both over the phone and in person
• Advising on placement applications, discharge of care orders, SGO applications, cases involving drugs and child trafficking matters.

Hourly rate is negotiable dependent upon experience but candidates can expect an offer of between £45 - £50 per hour, dependent upon experience (Inside IR35). 1 -2 days working from home each week can also be arranged, if required although as the nature of the role requires attendance at court candidates should be reasonable in their expectations for homeworking.

To apply for this post please contact Emily Bulman at Chadwick Nott, Birmingham.

0121 200 5575 or email emilybulman@chadwicknott.co.uk

Chadwick Nott Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.