Job Description

Position: Lawyer - Childrens (Interim)

Location: Po Box 500, Middlesbrough, TS1 9FT

Start Date: ASAP

Contract Duration: 2+ Months

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Pay Rate: PAYE: £ 39.19 per hour

Job Reference: (phone number removed)       

Job Responsibilities

Provide specialist legal advice and support to Children’s Services within the local authority.

Manage a caseload of complex children’s social care legal matters, including care proceedings and child protection cases.

Advise social workers, managers, and senior officers on legal issues relating to children and families.

Prepare and draft legal documents, statements, applications, and court submissions.

Represent the council in court proceedings and attend hearings where required.

Provide advice on pre-proceedings work, including Public Law Outline (PLO) processes.

Ensure all legal work is completed in line with relevant legislation, court procedures, and local authority policies.

Work closely with social care teams, external agencies, barristers, and other legal professionals.

Review evidence, assess legal risks, and provide clear recommendations to support decision-making.

Maintain accurate case records and ensure deadlines are met.

Support continuous improvement of legal services through knowledge sharing and best practice.

Person Specification

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Legal Executive with relevant children’s social care legal experience.

Experience working within a local authority Children’s Services legal team is desirable.

Strong knowledge of children’s social care legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and related legal frameworks.

Experience handling care proceedings, child protection matters, and public law cases.

Ability to manage a complex caseload and work to tight deadlines.

Strong advocacy, negotiation, and communication skills.

Excellent legal drafting and analytical skills.

Ability to provide clear, practical legal advice to social care professionals.

Experience representing clients in court proceedings.

Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider legal team.

Strong attention to detail with a commitment to high-quality legal practice.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced local authority environment.

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