Job Description
We are seeking a senior Public Law Children Solicitor to join our collaborative team and demonstrate their expertise in managing sensitive and complex public law children matters, while mentoring and supporting junior team members.
* Job Title: Public Law Children Solicitor
* Pay: £85,000 - £95,000 per annum + Bonus
* Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
* Location: Hybrid; 2 Days On-site in Reading
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Public Law Children Solicitor to join our growing Family Law team, providing expert legal advice and representation to parents, grandparents and other family members involved in public law children proceedings.
This senior role will involve managing a varied and complex caseload, including care proceedings, supervision orders and pre-proceedings matters. You will provide compassionate, practical and strategic legal advice to clients during what are often extremely challenging circumstances, while working closely with local authorities, counsel, experts and other professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients and their families.
The role also combines hands-on case management with mentoring and supporting junior team members, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a collaborative, client-focused firm.
Responsibilities
* Provide high-quality client care and specialist legal advice to parents, grandparents, relatives and other family members involved in public law children matters.
* Manage a caseload of complex Care (Children) matters, including care proceedings, interim care orders, supervision orders, placement applications and pre-proceedings (PLO) work.
* Advise and represent clients throughout all stages of public law children proceedings, ensuring they understand their legal position, options and the potential implications of decisions.
* Prepare and review legal documents, including court applications, position statements, witness statements, schedules, court bundles and instructions to counsel.
* Attend court hearings and undertake advocacy where appropriate, working effectively with counsel and other professionals.
* Liaise with local authorities, Cafcass, counsel, experts and other relevant professionals to progress cases effectively.
* Identify where expert evidence or assessments may be required and advise clients on the appropriate steps.
* Manage legal aid applications and ongoing matters through CCMS, ensuring compliance with Legal Aid Agency requirements.
* Efficiently manage files using our case management system, Leap, maintaining accurate records and ensuring all deadlines are met.
* Meet or exceed monthly billing targets and contribute to the firm's financial objectives.
* Support, supervise and mentor junior solicitors, paralegals and administrative team members, sharing knowledge and promoting high standards of work.
* Contribute to the continued development of the Family Law team and its client care standards.
* The roles and responsibilities are not exhaustive, and reasonable changes may be made depending on business requirements.
Essential Skills and Qualifications
* Qualified solicitor in England and Wales.
* Significant experience in Public Law Children matters, particularly representing parents and family members in care proceedings.
* Children Law Accreditation or demonstrable experience working towards accreditation.
* Strong working knowledge of the Children Act 1989, Family Procedure Rules and relevant public law children legislation and guidance.
* Prior experience working within Legal Aid, including CCMS applications and case management.
* Confident managing a complex caseload independently, including care proceedings and pre-proceedings matters.
* Strong understanding of the care proceedings process, including interim hearings, fact-finding hearings, final hearings and the use of expert evidence.
* Excellent client care skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with vulnerable clients.
* Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines and manage a busy caseload.
* Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting junior team members.
* A collaborative team player who is willing to support colleagues and contribute to the wider team.
* Confident using IT systems and legal case management software
