Childcare Advocate (In-House) - 12 MTH FTC

Job Description:

Advertisement for a vacancy at London Borough of Southwark. LLG is advertising this vacancy on behalf of London Borough of Southwark.

Reference number: SC07689

Location: London

Schedule: Full-time

Salary Range: (Full time equivalent) - £59,526 - £74,040

Contract Type: Fixed Term

The role

Southwark Council's Safeguarding and Community Services Legal team is seeking an exceptional In House Childcare Advocate on a 12 month fixed term contract. This is an outstanding opportunity to work in house at a well regarded London local authority, where your advocacy will directly shape the futures of children and young people across our borough.

Joining Southwark means being at the heart of legal decision making that protects the most vulnerable. You will undertake life changing litigation while contributing to the direction of Children's Services in a council committed to excellence, collaboration, and tackling inequality.

Whether you are a Barrister, Solicitor, or CILEX Fellow with rights of advocacy, this role is ideal if you are seeking a change in practice or looking to move away from the pressures of self employment, VAT, and irregular income. Southwark cases are heard in the Central Family Courts or the Royal Courts of Justice, and so travel outside of London is rarely required, supporting a good work life balance.

What sets this role apart?

• In House Advocacy Team: Work within a small, supportive, and highly experienced team of childcare advocates who work flexibly and manage their own diaries, enabling continuity of representation wherever possible.
• Collaborative and experienced in house lawyers and clients who are predominantly permanent staff. Benefit from taking instructions from an established team of lawyers and social work clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Strategic Influence: Advise senior leaders in the council in shaping governance, policy, and service delivery in respect of children and young people.
• Complex, Career Defining Work: Represent and advise children services across a range of complex and high risk cases involving significant legal and social issues for children and young people.

What you'll be doing

• Represent Southwark Children's Services at all levels of court, managing your own advocacy diary.
• Provide expert legal advice on complex childcare law to senior management, officers, Cabinet, and committees.
• Take instructions from an experienced in house legal team and collaborate closely with colleagues across services.
• Lead on identifying legal issues arising from litigation or legislative change, developing effective strategies.
• Draft complex pleadings, reports, and legal submissions.
• Advise on governance, risk, and case management within a public law framework.
• Deliver training to social work clients and legal colleagues, supporting continuous professional development.
• Represent Southwark in external networks, including Local Family Justice Boards and working groups.

What we're looking for

• A current practising certificate as a Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Fellow with rights of advocacy.
• Strong expertise in public and private childcare law, including child protection, adoption, and fostering.
• Significant advocacy experience in contested, fact finding, and final hearings.
• A track record of managing complex cases and delivering high quality outcomes under pressure.
• Excellent drafting, communication, and client care skills.
• The ability to build trusted relationships and influence at senior levels and in multi agency environments.
• A collaborative approach and commitment to continuous learning and development.

Benefits

Salary: £57,678 - £71,742 per annum. This post attracts an additional benefits package to the value of £2,724 per annum (pro rata) for staff which can be used towards benefits or taken as cash.

Recruitment timetable

• Closing Date: 11th May 2026 at 23:59.
• Interview Date: Week commencing 1st June 2026 (in person at 160 Tooley Street offices).

EEO Statement

We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long term health condition.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.