Childcare Solicitor (Head of Department)

Overview

Senior-level opportunity to establish and lead a Childcare department within a growing law firm in Warwickshire. You will shape the practice, develop the team, and drive growth leveraging the firm’s panel appointment. Expect handling complex public and private Children Act cases while expanding relationships with referrers and building the local profile. You’ll have strategic autonomy to set direction and recruit, with strong long-term career prospects in a panel-enabled environment.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary and benefits package
• hybrid and flexible working options
• excellent long-term career prospects
• supportive and ambitious firm

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s childcare offering in Warwickshire
• Develop and grow a dedicated childcare department
• Manage a caseload of complex public and private Children Act matters
• Represent parents, children and other parties in care proceedings
• Build relationships with referrers and professional contacts
• Enhance the firm’s profile in the local childcare market
• Recruit, mentor and develop team members as the department expands
• Collaborate with senior management on departmental strategy
• Maximise opportunities from the firm’s panel appointment

Key requirements

• Experienced Childcare Solicitor, ideally at Partner or Head of Department level
• Significant post-qualification experience in Childcare law
• Experience conducting advocacy and managing complex care proceedings
• Experience acting for parents, children or other parties
• Strong understanding of the Legal Aid framework
• Excellent client care and communication skills
• Proven ability to develop relationships and generate work
• Ambition to build and lead a specialist team
• Experience supervising junior lawyers would be advantageous
• Panel accreditation is essential

• excellent communication
• relationship-building
• leadership and mentorship
• advocacy in care proceedings
• knowledge of Legal Aid framework
• panel accreditation processes

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