Childcare Solicitor

Childcare Solicitor (Public Law) | 2+ | Shropshire | Hybrid Working Available | Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits

A well-established and growing law firm in Shropshire is seeking an experienced Childcare Solicitor to join its expanding Family Law team. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate family law professional looking to focus on public law children matters while benefiting from genuine career progression, flexible working, and a supportive environment.

The successful candidate will manage their own caseload of public law childcare matters, representing parents, children, and wider family members in care proceedings and related matters.

The firm is committed to providing exceptional legal services and making a positive impact within the local community.

The Role
As a Childcare Solicitor, you will play a key role within the Family Department, handling a varied caseload of public law children work from initial instruction through to final hearing.

Key responsibilities will include:
• Managing a diverse caseload of public law childcare matters.
• Representing parents, children and extended family members in care proceedings.
• Advising clients throughout Public Law Outline (PLO) pre-proceedings processes.
• Handling matters involving Care Orders, Supervision Orders, Emergency Protection Orders and related applications.
• Conducting advocacy in Family Court where appropriate.
• Delivering clear, practical and empathetic legal advice to clients during often sensitive and emotionally challenging situations.
• Maintaining compliance with Legal Aid Agency (LAA) requirements, Lexcel standards and firm procedures.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, local authorities and other stakeholders.

About You
Applications are welcomed from qualified solicitors and legal professionals with experience in public law childcare matters.

You will ideally have:
• Qualified Solicitor or CILEX Fellow with a current practising certificate in England & Wales.
• A minimum of 2 years' PQE handling public law childcare cases, although candidates with differing levels of experience will be considered.
• Strong knowledge of care proceedings and public law children work.
• Excellent advocacy skills and confidence appearing before the Family Court.
• A compassionate and professional approach when dealing with vulnerable clients.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy caseload independently.
• Experience working within Legal Aid frameworks and billing systems.
• Law Society Children Panel Accreditation would be highly advantageous, although support and funding will be provided for those working towards accreditation.

What's on Offer?
The firm is committed to supporting its people and offers an attractive package including:
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and accreditation status.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Clear and structured career progression opportunities.
• Fully funded Children Panel training and re-accreditation support.
• Full administrative and secretarial support.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Company pension scheme.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• The opportunity to work on meaningful cases that have a genuine impact on families and the wider community.

Apply Now
Contact Alicia Forde on 0121 454 1004 or email alicia.forde@enllegal.co.uk quoting Job Ref: 215304588

eNL will never share your CV with a third party without your express permission. As part of our candidate care process, we aim to respond to all applications in 7 days. If you have not been contacted within this timescale, your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide.

At eNL we value diversity and inclusion. We want to attract people at all levels and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates whatever your ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any characteristics protected by law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.