Childcare Solicitors (Permanent and Fixed term)

Join Our Legal Services Team at Solihull Council

We’re Hiring: Childcare Solicitor

Location: Hybrid (homeworking with attendance as required in Solihull and Birmingham, including Birmingham Family Court and surrounding areas)
Salary: £45,091-£51,356 per annum (plus Market Forces Supplement for exceptional candidates)

We offer a competitive salary within the range of £45,091-£51,356 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. For exceptional candidates, a Market Forces Supplement may be available, increasing the total potential salary to £54,495 per annum.

Contract: 1 x full-time permanent, 1x full time, 9-12 month fixed term contract (Part-time applications will be considered)

Solihull Council is seeking experienced and dedicated lawyers to join us in both our Childcare legal team. With multiple vacancies available, this is an exciting opportunity to become part of a successful and well-respected legal service making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people in Solihull.

These are dynamic, challenging, and highly rewarding roles, offering you the opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people across Solihull.

Childcare Solicitor

As a Childcare solicitor, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality legal advice and representation on a wide range of public law children matters. You’ll handle care and related court proceedings, advise on safeguarding and protection matters, and work closely with our Children’s Services teams to secure the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

You will:

• Provide expert legal advice on public law Children Act proceedings and safeguarding matters
• Conduct your own caseload and advocacy, including attending court
• Work collaboratively with social workers and other professionals
• Ensure your work reflects best practice, legislation, and court protocols

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from:

• Qualified Solicitors, Barristers, or Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives with practising rights (family litigation).

You should have:

• A thorough understanding of the relevant legal frameworks (Children Act 1989 etc.)
• Practical experience of conducting cases and providing strategic legal advice
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills
• A client-focused, proactive, and collaborative working style

What we offer

• Generous annual leave, with additional flexi-leave (up to 24 days per year)
• Option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
• Flexible and agile working arrangements
• Family and carer-friendly policies
• Attractive staff benefits and discounts
• Thrive at Work accredited wellbeing initiatives
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support)
• Career average pension scheme
• A supportive, friendly, and well-respected legal team with manageable caseloads

We support hybrid working arrangements. These roles are primarily home-based with required attendance at offices in Solihull and Birmingham, including courts and meetings as needed.

To apply, click the link below and upload your CV and answer some questions demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria set out in the job description and person specification.

If you have a specific question please contact Emily Plimmer, Senior Solicitor (Tues-Fri) on [phone removed], or Alison Frost, Team Leader on0121 704 6061 / [phone removed]

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment