Childcare Solicitor - Worcestershire (Local Authority role)

Initial 3-6 month contract

Hourly rate negotiable

35 hours per week

Purpose of job:       

• Delivery of the provision of quality Legal Services to, Children’s Services, Worcestershire Children First (WCF) for the specific category portfolio comprising Childcare and related Education
• Support the development, management, and delivery of effective and efficient legal services within the Childcare Team with an emphasis on commercially focused strategies which meet the business objectives and deliver value for money outcomes both for the Client Directorate and the Legal and Governance Division.
• To provide legal expertise and conduct legal proceedings in the Family Court, High Court and County Court and tribunals in respect of Child protection and related educational work
• Deliver effective solutions to comply with the statutory 26 week timescale to complete care proceedings and to secure the desired outcomes

Main Activities & Responsibilities:

• Support the Principal Solicitors(child care) from time to time and deputise in their absence in the management and areas of responsibility of the Childcare Team.
• Demonstrate effective negotiating skills with all stakeholders by representing, communicating and promoting the purpose, values and vision of the instructing Directorate in any given case
• Continually seek opportunities to lawfully deliver improved outcomes to the directorates’ instructing Legal Services on the various projects being undertaken where legal input is required in the most cost-effective manner.
• To take conduct of complex and contentious and/or non-contentious legal matters concerning one or more aspects of the Council’s functions as allocated, but particularly in respect of child protection, related education and local government law, often requiring creative appraisal and solutions
• To handle other legal matters within the remit of the Service or team as may be allocated from time to time.
• To participate and assist in managing the Out of Hours service for the appropriate fee
• Delivery of the Service Level Agreements with maintained schools and academies as it relates to child protection aspects of the Schools Helpline.
• To act as advocate in any forum; to prosecute; to pursue or defend child protection matters and to appear before the full range of Courts and in particular manage more complex cases (High, County and Magistrates Courts but particularly the Family Court and Deprivation of Liberty Court).
• To advocate personally in contested matters and manage and undertake multi-day contested hearings to promote robust quality case management and minimise the use of legal counsel
• To Instruct and assist Counsel where appropriate.
• To undertake legal research of legal issues arising from the work of the Council or its components or associated public bodies for whom the Assistant Director of Legal & Governance also acts, and to keep abreast of developments in relevant areas of law informing interested parties of their implications.
• To supervise the work of solicitors-lawyers(junior), legal assistants and legal clerks.

If you have any questions about this role or wish to apply, please contact isobel@deekay.co.uk who will respond at the earliest convenience.