Child Protection Lawyer

The salary range for this role is £45,680 to £57,125 per annum, based on working 36-hours per week, depending on experience (with a Lawyers Career Scheme providing the opportunity for permanent staff to progress to £57,125).

Are you looking for a new opportunity to develop your career in Childcare Law?

The team is based at Quadrant Court in Woking. The Council adopts a hybrid working policy with flexible working arrangements which includes access to our offices in Reigate and Weybridge combined with remote or home working. We come together in person for 2 days per week on average (40% of the working week). The team are very approachable (even when working remotely!) so there will always be someone to provide you with support and discuss matters.

Please note, the contractual location for this role is currently Quadrant Court, however it is our intention to move within the local area to Victoria Gate in Central Woking later this year.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Role

As a Child Protection lawyer at Surrey, you will join a supportive, successful and Lexcel-accredited in-house legal team that delivers effective legal advice, representation and assistance to the Council. Our team culture is one which is supportive and engaged. We have regular team away days where we connect and collaborate with one another, leaving us feeling motivated and energised about our roles.

Working together with frontline Children's Services to safeguard children, we play a pivotal role in the Council's drive to ensure no one is left behind. We were recently nominated for a STARS in Surrey award for teamwork and get consistently excellent client feedback. If you are interested in developing and enhancing your existing skills whilst undertaking quality and varied work in the area of child protection, we'd love to hear from you!

A current Lawyer in the team says

"As a team lawyer at Surrey County Council, my daily work involves working collaboratively with social workers and other professionals, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each case and fostering a holistic approach to problem-solving. This enables us to develop tailored legal strategies that address the specific needs of the children and families involved in cases spanning a broad-spectrum including PLO proceedings, care proceedings, deprivation of liberty applications, among others. In this role, I have the responsibility of representing and advising clients in diverse childcare cases ranging from initial proceedings to complex matters like adoption and special guardianship. The flexibility provided by agile working enhances my work-life balance, allowing me to adapt my working hours and locations to accommodate personal commitments while fulfilling my professional responsibilities."

About You

You could be newly qualified or someone with extensive experience in either the private or public sector. We recognise transferable skills and have a track record of supporting Lawyers to further develop their skills in this rewarding area. You will be trained and supported to undertake advocacy commensurate with your experience and alongside this will hold a quality caseload of child protection cases.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a varied and interesting childcare caseload consisting of both pre-proceedings and applications before the Court.
• Undertaking advocacy on behalf of the County Council.
• Providing expert legal advice to the Council in respect of its duties and responsibilities in respect of children and young people, including those in respect of adoption.

You will be supported through training, regular supervision and development plans to continue learning and developing your expertise and so achieve successful progression through the career scheme. If joining us on a permanent basis, you will have the opportunity to join our Lawyers Career Scheme which will allow for accelerated career and salary progression based on performance.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• You are a Solicitor, barrister or Fellow of CILEX who is eligible to practise in England and Wales and has (or be in a position to apply for) a current practicing certificate issued by the relevant regulatory authority.
• You are able to manage a full and varied caseload and deliver innovative solutions with appropriate supervision.
• You have excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills and the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners and professionals.
• You have experience of, or an aptitude for, advocacy.
• You have an understanding of and are able to uphold the values of Surrey County Council.

Should you wish to join a large, friendly, dedicated and experienced team of lawyers please click the apply button below to submit your application!

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

If you are looking for a role which is both varied and interesting with an opportunity to develop your existing skills and employment experience by working in local government, please click the apply button below to submit your application.

This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

This advert closes at 23:59 on 30th March with interviews to follow in the week commencing 7th April 2025.

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application.
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form.

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.