Senior Childcare Lawyer

Contract Civic Recruitment Limited United Kingdom

Posted On 02/04/2026

Work Experience 4-5 years

Interim & Executive Management

City Northampton

Province Northamptonshire

Postal Code NN1

2-3 month contract role with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

• West Northamptonshire Council is seeking two full time Senior Childcare Lawyers to support additional workload within the Legal Services team.
• This interim assignment sits within Finance & Corporate Services, operating Inside IR35, and requires experienced legal professionals with a strong background in childcare and public law.
• The successful candidates will manage complex caseloads, provide high quality legal advice, and represent the Council in court proceedings relating to children's social care.

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

• Manage a full and complex caseload of childcare matters, including care proceedings, supervision orders, placement orders, and emergency applications.
• Provide specialist legal advice to social workers, managers, and Council officers on all aspects of children's social care law.
• Prepare and present cases in the Family Court, liaising with counsel where required.
• Draft and review legal documents including threshold statements, position statements, case summaries, and court bundles.
• Represent the Council in pre proceedings meetings (PLO), case discussions, and strategy meetings.
• Ensure all work complies with statutory responsibilities, local authority procedures, and best practice standards.
• Support junior legal staff where necessary and contribute to continuous improvement within the legal team.

Skills/Experience:

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEX with extensive experience in childcare/public law.
• Strong background in managing care proceedings and court advocacy.
• Demonstrable experience advising on the Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act 2002, and related legislation.
• Excellent drafting skills for legal documents, statements, and court submissions.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines in a high pressure, fast moving environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to provide clear, concise legal advice.
• Experience working within a local authority legal team (highly desirable).
• High level of professionalism, judgement, and ethical standards.

Additional Information:

• This position requires candidates to work full time and on site as required.
• The role falls Inside IR35 and will be paid via an umbrella company.
• Two Senior Lawyers are being recruited to support increased service demands and safeguard statutory functions.
• Candidates must be able to start promptly and manage demanding caseloads with minimal supervision.