Contract Civic Recruitment Limited United Kingdom
Posted On 02/04/2026
Job Information
Work Experience 4-5 years
Interim & Executive Management
City Northampton
Province Northamptonshire
Postal Code NN1
Job Description
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.