Children's Solicitor

Swindon, United Kingdom | Posted on 02/10/2026

Location: Swindon

Contract: Length to Be Confirmed

Hours: Full Time

We are seeking a seasoned Children's Solicitor to join a Local Authority Legal Services team. This role involves delivering expert legal advice and representation on a wide array of Children's Social Care issues. The successful candidate will manage a personal caseload of public law childcare matters, offer strategic legal counsel, and represent the Council in court. This position is ideal for a self-assured and experienced local government lawyer who thrives in a dynamic and fast‑paced setting, providing practical and solution‑oriented legal advice.

• Oversee a caseload of intricate Children's Social Care legal matters.
• Deliver prompt and precise legal advice to Children's Services and senior officers.
• Provide counsel on:
  • Child Protection
  • Pre-Proceedings
  • Public Law Outline (PLO)
  • Care Proceedings
  • Emergency Applications
  • Adoption Matters
  • Placement Orders
  • Supervision Orders
  • Special Guardianship Orders
• Draft legal documents, applications, pleadings, witness statements, and court bundles.
• Conduct advocacy when necessary.
• Represent the Council in Family Court proceedings.
• Advise Social Workers and managers on safeguarding and legal interventions.
• Offer legal support from Legal Planning Meetings through to final hearings.
• Participate in internal meetings, case conferences, and court hearings.
• Mentor trainee solicitors, legal assistants, and support officers as needed.
• Maintain accurate case records using legal case management systems.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and professional standards.

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practising certificate.
• Extensive experience in Children's Social Care Law.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Children Act 1989
  • Adoption and Children Act 2002
  • Family Procedure Rules
  • Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations
• Experience handling:
  • Pre-Proceedings
  • Care Proceedings
  • Adoption Applications
  • Placement Orders
  • Child Protection Matters
• Proficiency in drafting court documentation and legal pleadings.
• Advocacy experience in Family Courts.
• Experience advising Social Workers and Children's Services professionals.
• Capability to manage cases from Legal Planning Meetings through to final hearings.
• Excellent communication, drafting, negotiation, and case management skills.
• Ability to handle a demanding caseload with minimal supervision.
• Experience in Local Government legal work.
• Experience advising on private law proceedings, including Section 7 and Section 37 reports.
• Experience supporting adoption processes from ADM advice through to contested adoption hearings.
• Knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty matters involving children.
• Experience attending and advising committees and senior leadership teams.
• Experience mentoring trainee solicitors or junior legal staff.

• Contract Length to Be Confirmed
• Bi-Weekly Pay
• Opportunity to work within a dynamic and supportive Local Authority legal team.
• Diverse and challenging Children's Social Care caseload.
• Opportunity to impact outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
• Exposure to complex safeguarding, adoption, and public law proceedings.
• High level of autonomy and responsibility.