Locum Childcare Lawyer
Hourly Rate: £55–£60 per hour umbrella
Location: Northern Local Authority
Sector: Local Government
Duration: 3 Months+
Working Arrangement: Full Time, hybrid, advocacy essential
Start Date: ASAP
Reed Legal is working in partnership with a well-regarded Northern Local Authority to recruit an experienced Locum Childcare Lawyer for a long-term assignment. This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and busy legal team handling a varied caseload of public childcare matters, with flexible remote working arrangements available.
The Role
You will provide specialist legal advice to Children's Services, managing a caseload of complex childcare matters from inception through to conclusion. The successful candidate will play a key role in safeguarding vulnerable children and supporting the authority through care proceedings and advocacy requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Managing a caseload of public childcare matters, including Child Protection and Care Proceedings.
Providing legal advice to social workers, managers, and Children's Services teams.
Preparing applications, witness statements, care plans, and court documentation.
Conducting advocacy at hearings where required, including Case Management Hearings and Interim Care Order applications.
Representing the Local Authority in Public Law Outline (PLO) meetings and legal planning meetings.
Ensuring compliance with relevant childcare legislation and statutory guidance.
Candidate Profile
We are seeking a qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with:
Demonstrable experience handling public childcare law matters within a Local Authority setting.
Strong knowledge of Child Protection, Care Proceedings, and associated legislation.
Previous advocacy experience and confidence appearing before the Family Court.
The ability to manage a busy caseload independently while working collaboratively with Children's Services teams.
Excellent drafting, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Benefits
Competitive hourly rate.
Predominantly remote working with flexible arrangements.
Long-term assignment with the potential for extension.
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact supporting vulnerable children and families.
Supportive and experienced legal team environment.
Apply Now
If you're an experienced Childcare Lawyer looking for your next locum opportunity with a respected Northern Local Authority, we'd love to hear from you.
Contact: Olivia Venn – Reed Legal, Manchester
Email: olivia.venn@reed.com
Phone: 0300 373 4075
Reed Legal is committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Please note that experience requirements and rate guidelines are indicative only; all applications will be assessed on merit.
