Lawyer - Childrens (Interim)

Position: Lawyer - Childrens (Interim)
Location: Po Box 500, Middlesbrough, TS1 9FT
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 2+ Months
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: PAYE: £ 39.19 per hour
Job Reference: (phone number removed)       
 
Job Responsibilities

• Provide specialist legal advice and support to Children’s Services within the local authority.

• Manage a caseload of complex children’s social care legal matters, including care proceedings and child protection cases.

• Advise social workers, managers, and senior officers on legal issues relating to children and families.

• Prepare and draft legal documents, statements, applications, and court submissions.

• Represent the council in court proceedings and attend hearings where required.

• Provide advice on pre-proceedings work, including Public Law Outline (PLO) processes.

• Ensure all legal work is completed in line with relevant legislation, court procedures, and local authority policies.

• Work closely with social care teams, external agencies, barristers, and other legal professionals.

• Review evidence, assess legal risks, and provide clear recommendations to support decision-making.

• Maintain accurate case records and ensure deadlines are met.

• Support continuous improvement of legal services through knowledge sharing and best practice.

Person Specification

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Legal Executive with relevant children’s social care legal experience.

• Experience working within a local authority Children’s Services legal team is desirable.

• Strong knowledge of children’s social care legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and related legal frameworks.

• Experience handling care proceedings, child protection matters, and public law cases.

• Ability to manage a complex caseload and work to tight deadlines.

• Strong advocacy, negotiation, and communication skills.

• Excellent legal drafting and analytical skills.

• Ability to provide clear, practical legal advice to social care professionals.

• Experience representing clients in court proceedings.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider legal team.

• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to high-quality legal practice.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced local authority environment.

 
 
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