Senior Lawyer – Child Protection

The Senior Lawyer – Child Protection will manage a complex caseload of child protection matters, providing expert legal advice and representation throughout the lifecycle of care proceedings. The role involves conducting advocacy, supporting legal planning processes, and ensuring the local authority meets its statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a full Child Protection caseload from legal planning meetings through to final hearings.
  
• Conduct Legal Planning Meetings and Public Law Outline (PLO) meetings.
  
• Handle all aspects of Child Protection proceedings, including urgent applications.
  
• Prepare for and undertake advocacy at court hearings.
  
• Manage Interim Care Order (ICO) applications and other urgent hearings.
  
• Deal with deprivation of liberty matters.
  
• Handle discharge, reduction, and variation of care order applications.
  
• Provide support on the duty solicitor/lawyer rota as required.
  
• Deliver high-quality legal advice to client departments on Child Protection matters.
  
• Ensure casework is managed effectively and in accordance with relevant legislation, court procedures, and timescales.
  

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with a current practising certificate.
  
• Significant experience managing Child Protection matters within local government.
  
• Strong advocacy skills with the ability to conduct own hearings.
  
• Experience handling care proceedings, Interim Care Orders, Public Law Outline processes, and deprivation of liberty matters.
  
• Excellent case management, drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
  
• Ability to manage a busy caseload and respond effectively to urgent matters.
  

Additional Information

• Hours: 37 hours per week
  
• Location: Peterborough Council (Flexible hybrid working, with attendance at court as required and office attendance ideally 2–3 days per week)
  
• Bi Weekly Payment Schedule