Senior Childcare Advocate

Locum Senior Childcare Advocate – London Borough – £65 per hour – Hybrid Working

Job Title: Senior Childcare Advocate
Council: London Borough Council
Working Pattern: Full-time – Hybrid (Advocacy required 3x per week on average)
Rate: £65 per hour (umbrella)
Duration: 6 months+ (potential for extension)

Venn Group’s public sector legal team is working with a London Borough Council, who are seeking an experienced Senior Childcare Advocate to join their legal team on a locum basis. This role is ideal for an experienced childcare lawyer with strong advocacy skills, looking to take on a leadership role in representing the council in complex childcare proceedings.

Job Overview:

The successful candidate will provide high-quality legal representation in public law childcare cases, conducting advocacy in the Family Court approximately 3 times per week. They will be responsible for managing a caseload of complex childcare matters, including care proceedings, emergency protection orders, special guardianship orders, and judicial reviews.

Key Responsibilities:

• Represent the council in Family Court hearings, including case management hearings, fact-finding hearings, and final hearings
• Manage a complex caseload of childcare matters, including care and supervision orders, placement orders, and special guardianship orders
• Provide legal advice to social workers and children’s services teams on all aspects of public childcare law
• Draft legal documents, including threshold documents, case summaries, and position statements
• Work closely with external counsel on High Court cases and judicial review matters
• Ensure compliance with the Children Act 1989, Public Law Outline (PLO) procedures, and relevant legislation

Requirements:

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or FILEx Legal Executive with extensive experience in childcare law and advocacy
• Strong knowledge of the Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act 2002, and relevant case law
• Experience conducting advocacy in the Family Court, including case management hearings, contested hearings, and final hearings
• Ability to provide strategic legal advice to social workers and senior council officers
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with experience handling complex and high-risk cases

How to Apply:

For further details, please contact John Smith at Venn Group:
07441 916 456
john.smith@venngroup.com / southeastlegal@venngroup.com

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates. All salaries and PQE ranges stated serve only as a guide, and all applicants will be considered on their individual merits.