Children Law Solicitor – 3+ Years PQE – Exeter

Overview

In this role you will lead the childcare team in Exeter, taking ownership of department growth within the family practice. You will manage public law matters, including care proceedings, and liaise with Guardian services and CAFCASS. You will develop the offering, supervise junior colleagues, and drive local business relationships. This is a leadership-focused position with accreditation support, offering a meaningful impact on the firm’s childcare practice.

Pay / Benefits

• Salary £55,000–£80,000
• genuine leadership opportunity
• support for Children Panel accreditation
• friendly, close-knit working environment
• strong local reputation and established client base

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of public law children matters
• Act on care proceedings, supervision orders and related applications
• Handle Guardian work and liaise with CAFCASS
• Represent parents, children and extended family members
• Lead and develop the childcare offering
• Supervise junior colleagues and contribute to team structure
• Drive business development and build strong local relationships
• Collaborate with the wider family team to ensure continuity of service

Key requirements

• 3+ years’ PQE in childcare / public law children matters
• Children Panel membership or strong desire to obtain accreditation
• Confidence handling care proceedings and complex public law matters
• Strong advocacy skills and ability to work independently
• Ambition to lead, develop and grow a department
• Excellent communication skills and a calm, supportive approach
• Desire to build long term relationships within the local community

• communication skills
• leadership and initiative
• relationship-building
• care proceedings
• public law children matters
• Guardian work

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