Senior Lawyer (with management responsibilities) (Childcare)

Pathfinder Legal Services Ltd; Godmanchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare law firm is seeking a qualified lawyer to join its dynamic Childcare team. The role, based in Godmanchester, offers hybrid-remote working arrangements and entails representing clients in court, providing legal advice on child protection matters, and working collaboratively within a supportive team environment. Salary ranges from £50,790 to £58,168.75, with an annual management allowance of £1,435.

Benefits

Local Government Pensions Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Family Friendly policies

Employee Assistance Program

Generous annual leave entitlement

Qualifications

• Experience in childcare law and child protection cases.
• Ability to represent clients in court proceedings.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in court during Care Proceedings.
• Provide legal advice regarding Deprivation of Liberties.
• Advise on Local Authorities' duties and responsibilities.

Skills

Child protection law

Court representation

Legal advice

Team collaboration

Education

Qualified lawyer

Job description

Location –Working on a hybrid-remote basis from our Huntingdon office.

Contract Type– 12 Month Fixed Term Contract – Full Time (37 hours)

Salary Range – £50,790 – £58,168.75 DOE, plus £1435 annual management allowance

Who are we?

We are a large team, made up of around 50 lawyers and paralegals of all types and length of qualification. We have team members who have been with us for over 25 years and newly qualified lawyers who have just joined us. We are passionate and dedicated, always ready to help each other out and discuss cases to find a solution. We love working together and developing each other’s knowledge and abilities. We are committed to staff development, training and career progression opportunities. Our supportive team is our strength and we’re ready to welcome you into it.

What do we do?

The Childcare team deals with all types of child protection work for its shareholder local authorities and other clients, including:

• Care Proceedings, including representation in Court
• Advice in relation to Deprivation of Liberties
• Advice in relation to contact
• Adoption proceedings
• Advice on Local Authorities’ duties and responsibilities
• Advice to Local Authorities in relation to private law proceedings
• Advice in relation to children becoming looked after, ceasing to become looked after and any issues arising

The Childcare team also advise clients on process and improvements that can be made and provide duty advice to the client on a rota basis. Members of the team sit on Local Family Justice Boards, advise Safeguarding Children Local Partnerships, Adoption and Fostering Panels and Agency Decision Makers. We also provide training for clients and for the team.

The work is exciting, varied and interesting. Recently, the team has been involved in a number of reported cases and has represented the Local Authority on cases which have been considered by the Court of Appeal. No two days are ever the same!

For a copy of the Full Job Description. please click here.

• Local Government Pensions Scheme – considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates.
• Flexible working arrangements – we offer flexible hours and hybrid working which allows for remote working but we also require regular office attendance with the aim to give everyone a balanced work/life ratio.
• Family Friendly policies including excellent Maternity, Paternity and Adoption entitlements.
• An exceptional Employee Assistance Program which helps supports employees with workplace changes as well as other work, family and personal issues.
• A generous minimum annual leave entitlement of 25 days, rising on 5 and 10 years service, plus public holidays. With the option to purchase more annual leave.

To apply for this position please send your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the Person Specification to [e-mail] . When applying, please quote reference ‘CHI-103’.

Closing date for applications: Monday 8th September 2025 @ midday

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