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

Contract Type – Permanent – Full Time (37 hours)

Salary – £52,415 – £60,030.15 DOE (plus management allowance of £1480.92 per annum)

Senior Lawyer (with management responsibilities)

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Lawyer to join our dynamic Childcare Team, undertaking vital legal work that protects vulnerable children and supports families through complex legal processes. This is an excellent opportunity to work on meaningful public law cases within a supportive and collaborative environment.

You will manage a varied and demanding childcare caseload, working closely with experienced lawyers and paralegals to deliver high-quality legal services. The role also includes management responsibilities, providing supervision, mentoring, and guidance to paralegals and junior Lawyers. You will play an important role in supporting case preparation, ensuring matters progress efficiently, and fostering a collaborative team culture that promotes professional development and high standards of practice.

We are looking for a lawyer with strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to public law and safeguarding children. The ability to support and develop colleagues while maintaining a busy caseload will be key to success in this role.

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
• Pre-proceedings (PLO) work
• 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.

Pathfinder Legal Benefits

• • 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.
  • Cycle To Work scheme.
  • 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.

  Closing date for applications Friday 27th March @ midday.

  To apply for this position please send your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the Person Specification to recruitment@pathfinderlegal.co.uk. When applying, please quote reference ‘CHI-119′.