Senior Legal Officer Child Care

CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD

Job Location:

Cardiff - UK

Monthly Salary: £ 50 - 50

Experience Required: 4-5years

Posted on: 25-10-2025

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

3 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

Cardiff Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Legal Officer (Child Care) to join the Governance and Legal Services Directorate within the Community Legal Team.

Reporting to the Principal Solicitor you will provide expert legal advice and case management on matters relating to childrens social care law supporting the Council in fulfilling its statutory responsibilities.

The role involves managing a varied childcare caseload preparing and presenting cases in court and offering high-quality legal support to internal clients. This position offers flexible and remote working.

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

Manage a caseload of childcare (public and private law) and related legal matters under the supervision of senior lawyers or operational managers.

Provide clear and robust legal advice to client departments on matters relating to Childrens Services and Adult Services.

Prepare applications to court for orders draft statements position papers and other relevant legal documents.

Represent the Council at Legal Planning Meetings PLO Meetings and other relevant forums.

Liaise effectively with social workers witnesses counsel solicitors and external agencies to progress cases efficiently.

Ensure quality assurance of documentation including Section 7 and Section 37 reports witness statements PLO letters and risk assessments.

Keep abreast of developments in childcare and local government law applying updates to practice and procedure.

Support and mentor Legal Officers and Assistants within the team as required.

Contribute to service improvement and promote best practice within Legal Services.

Uphold confidentiality professional standards and compliance with safeguarding and data protection legislation.

Actively promote and adhere to the Councils Equal Opportunities Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies.

Skills/Experience:

Proven experience managing a childcare law caseload ideally within a local authority or public sector legal environment.

Excellent drafting and written communication skills with the ability to produce clear concise legal documents.

Strong knowledge of public law childcare proceedings including PLO and court processes.

Ability to interpret and apply legislation regulations and case law effectively to provide sound legal advice.

Skilled in case management systems and proficient in IT including word processing and document management.

Ability to work with minimal supervision prioritising workload and meeting tight deadlines.

Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to build positive relationships across services and external agencies.

Understanding of local government functions and experience advising on social care-related legal issues.

Commitment to professional development equality confidentiality and the delivery of a high-quality legal service.

Additional Information:

Qualified Legal Executive (CILEx) or equivalent legal qualification (minimum requirement).

Hours: 37 per week (Monday to Friday 09:0017:00).

Disclosure Requirement: Enhanced DBS (role exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act).

Remote working.

Required Skills:

Proven experience managing a childcare law caseload ideally within a local authority or public sector legal environment. Excellent drafting and written communication skills with the ability to produce clear concise legal documents. Strong knowledge of public law childcare proceedings including PLO and court processes. Ability to interpret and apply legislation regulations and case law effectively to provide sound legal advice. Skilled in case management systems and proficient in IT including word processing and document management. Ability to work with minimal supervision prioritising workload and meeting tight deadlines. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to build positive relationships across services and external agencies. Understanding of local government functions and experience advising on social care-related legal issues. Commitment to professional development equality confidentiality and the delivery of a high-quality legal service.

Required Education:

Qualified Legal Executive (CILEx) or equivalent legal qualification (minimum requirement).

3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: Cardiff Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Legal Officer (Child Care) to join the Governance and Legal Services Directorate within the Community Legal Team. Reporting to the Principal Solicitor you will provide expert legal ad...