Childcare Law Solicitor

Childcare Law Solicitor

Location: Liverpool or Manchester

Career Level: Senior Solicitor 5+ PQE

Salary: £50,000 - £70,000 + Bonus

Are you an experienced childcare law solicitor looking for an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated team? Our client, a well-established and highly regarded law firm with offices in Liverpool and Manchester, is seeking a Senior Childcare Law Solicitor at 5+ PQE level to join their expanding Childcare Team.

This is an exceptional opportunity to work on high-quality childcare law matters, conducting your own caseload and undertaking advocacy in care proceedings. You'll be joining a friendly, welcoming, and hard-working team that values collaboration and offers excellent opportunities for career progression.

The Role

As a Childcare Law Solicitor, you will manage your own caseload of childcare law matters, representing local authorities, parents, or children in care proceedings. This role focuses exclusively on childcare law, with no private family law work involved, as that is undertaken by a different team.

The role offers genuine progression opportunities for the right candidate and the chance to work on complex and rewarding childcare matters whilst developing your advocacy skills and expertise in this specialist area.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Conducting your own caseload in childcare law matters from instruction through to conclusion
• Representing clients in care proceedings, including public law children cases
• Undertaking advocacy in the Family Court at all levels
• Advising on care orders, supervision orders, emergency protection orders, and placement orders
• Handling complex childcare matters including non-accidental injury cases and complex family dynamics
• Attending court hearings, case management hearings, and final hearings
• Preparing court bundles, witness statements, and legal submissions
• Liaising with clients, local authorities, children's guardians, and expert witnesses
• Providing clear, practical, and compassionate advice to clients
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the childcare team
• Meeting financial targets and managing matters efficiently
• Contributing to the continued success and development of the childcare practice

About You

Essential Requirements:

• 5+ years' PQE experience in childcare law
• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales
• Proven experience running your own caseload in childcare law matters
• Experience undertaking advocacy in the Family Court
• The Law Society's Children Law Panel accreditation
• A Children's Guardian following
• Strong technical knowledge of childcare law, the Children Act 1989, and care proceedings
• Excellent advocacy skills and confidence in court
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously
• Excellent client care skills with a compassionate and sensitive approach
• Strong communication, drafting, and negotiation skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight court deadlines
• Commitment to delivering high-quality legal services in this specialist area

Highly Desirable:

• Experience representing multiple client types (local authorities, parents, or children)
• Experience with complex childcare matters including non-accidental injury cases
• Knowledge of adoption law and placement proceedings
• Supervisory or mentoring experience
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment

Key Attributes:

• Experienced and dedicated with a passion for childcare law
• Compassionate and sensitive approach to clients
• Strong work ethic with commitment to delivering high-quality work
• Resilient and able to handle emotionally challenging cases
• Team player who thrives in a collaborative environment
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Committed to professional development and staying current with legal developments

What's On Offer

Our client is committed to rewarding talent and hard work with a competitive remuneration package and excellent opportunities for career progression.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary: £50,000 - £70,000 (market rate, dependent on experience)
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• 25 days holiday per annum (plus bank holidays)
• Loyalty holiday scheme
• Ability to buy additional holidays
• Contributory (auto-enrolment) pension scheme
• Non-contributory death in service scheme
• Paycare scheme
• Good prospects of career progression for the right candidate
• Friendly, welcoming, and hard-working team environment
• Supportive team culture with opportunities for professional development
• Specialist childcare law practice with no private family law work
• Modern, well-equipped offices in Liverpool or Manchester
• Flexible working arrangements available

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established law firm with offices in Liverpool and Manchester, serving clients across the North West and beyond. The firm has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality legal services across a broad range of practice areas, including childcare law, family law, employment, property, litigation, and corporate.

The Childcare Team specialises exclusively in childcare law matters, handling care proceedings, supervision orders, emergency protection orders, and placement orders. The team represents local authorities, parents, and children in complex and sensitive care proceedings, providing expert legal advice and advocacy in the Family Court.

The team is friendly, welcoming, and hard-working, with a collaborative culture that values teamwork, professionalism, and compassionate client service. The firm offers excellent opportunities for career progression and professional development for dedicated childcare law practitioners.

Location

This role is based at our client's Liverpool or Manchester office (your choice), both located in city centre locations with excellent transport links and access to local amenities. The offices offer modern, professional working environments with flexible working arrangements available.

How to Apply

If you're an experienced childcare law solicitor with Children Law Panel accreditation and a Children's Guardian following, we'd love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact lee.hawthorne-- or