Childcare Lawyer - #2115341

Location: Manchester (Hybrid/Remote)
Rate: £45 - £55 per hour (DOE)
Contract: Locum - Full-time
CRA Consulting is delighted to be working in partnership with a leading Local Authority in Manchester who are seeking an experienced Childcare Lawyer to join their legal services team on a full-time locum basis.
This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled Childcare Lawyer to provide high-quality legal advice and support on a complex and varied caseload of public law childcare matters. The successful candidate will have the flexibility to work remotely, with a preference for someone able to attend the office approximately once per week.
The successful candidate will manage their own caseload and undertake advocacy where required, providing practical and solution-focused legal support to Children's Services.
Key Responsibilities:

• Handling a full range of public law childcare matters, including care proceedings, placement applications, adoption-related proceedings, and special guardianship matters.
• Managing Deprivation of Liberty applications concerning children.
• Advising on Public Law Outline (PLO) pre-proceedings work.
• Providing legal advice to Children's Social Care on safeguarding and looked after children matters.
• Attending hearings, case management hearings, and providing advocacy where required.
• Participating in duty lawyer cover arrangements during normal working hours.
• Attending Legal Gateway Meetings and Permanence Panels.
• Providing clear, timely, and practical advice to social workers, managers, and senior officers.

Requirements:

• Previous local authority childcare legal experience is essential.
• Strong experience handling a busy childcare caseload with minimal supervision.
• Excellent knowledge of public law childcare proceedings.
• Advocacy experience is desirable.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced local authority environment.

Benefits of the Role:

• Competitive hourly rate of £45 - £55 per hour depending on experience.
• Long-term locum opportunity with a respected Local Authority.
• Hybrid working arrangements available.
• Opportunity to work on complex and rewarding childcare matters.

If you are an experienced Childcare Lawyer looking for your next locum opportunity in Manchester, please contact Umar at CRA Consulting for further information