Venn Group’s specialist public sector legal team are in partnership with a Local Authority based in the South East of England to recruit a Locum Childcare In-House Advocate to join the Advocacy team
The role of Locum Childcare In-House Advocate if offered on a 3 month basis and will be extended on a rolling contract thereafter. This is an excellent role for an experienced advocate or a childcare lawyer looking to expand their advocacy abilities
The ideal candidate for this role will be a Qualified Barrister, Solicitor (Higher Rights of Audience) or Charted Legal Executive (Advocate) with a proven track record of successfully managing Childcare Advocacy within Local Government. Local Government experience is desirable for this role but candidates with extensive non Local Government experience are welcome to apply for this role.
About the Role:
1. Legislative Knowledge and Representation: Possess an in-depth understanding of key child care legislation, including The Children Act 1989, The Adoption Act 1976, The Adoption and Children Act 2002, and The Children & Families Act 2014. Provide expert representation in various proceedings, encompassing complex matters, on behalf of Client Departments.
2. Court Advocacy and Youth Offending Teams: Conduct advocacy in the Family Court, covering a range of hearings such as Case Management, Contested, Fact Finding, and Final. Advise and represent Youth Offending Teams in proceedings initiated in the Youth Court.
3. Legal Advice and Case Analysis: Deliver well-informed legal advice, grounded in thorough legal and factual analysis, highlighting the implications of various options. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of evidence in each case and provide clients with informed advice based on this analysis.
4. Emergency Applications and Advocates Meetings: Offer Counsel to Client Authorities on emergency or urgent applications and provide representation in court, including out-of-hours coverage when necessary. Represent the Client Authority at Advocates Meetings, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
5. Training Participation and Emergency Duty Cover: Participate in training sessions for client children's services departments, contributing expertise and insights to enhance professional development. Provide out-of-hours emergency duty cover to client authorities as needed, ensuring timely and responsive legal support during critical situations.