Family Care Solicitor - Ashton

ROLE: Family Care Solicitor
SALARY: DOE
LOCATION: Ashton Under Lyne

An opportunity to work in a closely knit team with others who possess a positive and enthusiastic attitude. The ideal candidate will have experience to deal with cases from start to finish.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead in due diligence for legal aid applications and CCMS procedures
2. Prepare court materials, including court bundles and counsel instructions
3. Ensure excellence in Child Care team service delivery
4. Uphold manager and client satisfaction
5. Manage a diverse caseload with minimal supervision
6. Maintain high-quality drafting and completion of legal work
7. Achieve time recording and costs/fees targets

Role Description:

1. Supervising colleagues such as solicitors, trainees, and caseworkers/paralegals
2. Facilitating team training and development
3. Handling a variety of Child Care cases, including Legal Aid, Care Orders, Emergency Protection Orders, Special Guardianship Orders, and more
4. Representing clients in court and conferences

Qualifications and Skills:

1. Child Care Solicitor with 1 to 10 years PQE
2. Knowledge of Child Care best practices
3. Strong business development acumen
4. Effective communication and interpersonal skills
5. Proficiency in legal case management systems and MS Office Suite
6. Possesses excellent time management and organisational abilities
7. Maintains awareness of evolving legislation and policy changes
8. Demonstrates resilience and efficiency under pressure
9. Encourages collaboration and cross-referrals
10. Committed to delivering top-notch legal services
11. Empathetic and adept at handling emotionally charged cases

Minimum Requirements:

1. Qualified solicitor with a minimum of two years PQE
2. Experience working in privately funded family matters
3. Proven experience managing own busy caseload
4. Excellent communicator both verbally and in writing
5. Able to work to tight deadlines
6. A team player with a flair for business development

Contractual benefits include:
23 days annual holiday entitlement, plus bank holidays
Holiday loyalty scheme
Ability to purchase holidays annually
Death in service
Contributory pension scheme
Enhanced sick pay
Paid car parking where a car is required for the performance of duties
Provision of laptop and mobile phone, where required
Payment of professional memberships and subscription fees
PayCare scheme which gives employees the opportunity to claim 100% cashback on everyday healthcare/dental/optical treatments, up to an annual limit. It also provides access to wellbeing services including: 24-hour access to a GP, discounts on purchases, access to a confidential support and counselling service, an online health assessment.

Non-contractual benefits include:
Long service bonus/gift
Annual salary review
Annual discretionary firm bonus scheme
Reward if monthly target reached
Birthday treat/gift (changes each year)
Christmas gift/bonus
Easter Eggs
Associates Pension Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
Car parking permit (where applicable)
Laptop (where applicable)
Mobile phone (where applicable)
Paid Compassionate leave policy
Flexible working
Remote working
Generous lunch break (1 hour 15 minutes)
Annual bonding/team building weekend
Annual Senior Staff dinner
Staff Committee
Monthly social charity funding raising events
Suggestion box
Dress down' days
Career Progression structure
Payment for further and higher education (where appropriate)
Discounted fees for conveyancing services for the purchase and sale of employee's own home