Solicitor or Barrister

Our lawyers undertake complex, rewarding public law work and play a critical role in protecting children and securing the best possible outcomes for families. We are proud of the quality of our legal service and are looking for experienced childcare lawyers who share our ambition, commitment and passion for public service. If you are confident managing care proceedings, enjoy advocacy, and are looking for a supportive team where your expertise is valued, we would love to hear from you. About the Role You will join an established team of experienced childcare lawyers undertaking their own advocacy and managing a varied caseload of public law proceedings, supported by dedicated legal assistants, accessible managers and a strong culture of supervision, shared learning and professional development. The work is varied, rewarding and intellectually stimulating, involving:

• Care and supervision proceedings
• Emergency applications
• Special guardianship matters
• Adoption-related work
• Advocacy in contested and non-contested hearings
• Working alongside social workers, managers, and partner agencies to secure the best outcomes for children
• The Birmingham & Solihull Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) also provides a unique opportunity to be involved in an innovative and successful alternative approach to care proceedings., We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people. We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development. Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all. Safeguarding At Birmingham Children's Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people. The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

You will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (FCILEx) with a passion for public law childcare work. Applicants who can confidently manage care proceedings from issue through to final hearing and undertake their own advocacy are particularly encouraged to apply. We are particularly keen to hear from lawyers with experience of managing childcare proceedings and undertaking advocacy. You will have:
• Knowledge and experience of family public law
• Experience of managing a busy caseload
• Strong advocacy skills or a desire to further develop them
• Excellent drafting, communication, and negotiation skills
• The ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines
• A commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children and families
• A collaborative and solution-focused approach
• We will also consider applications from Newly Qualified Solicitors and candidates who can demonstrate strong transferable skills from related areas of practice. We are keen to attract the right candidate and will provide appropriate support and development opportunities to enable you to thrive in the role.
Why Join Birmingham Children's Trust?

There has never been a more exciting time to join Birmingham Children's Trust. As one of the largest providers of children's services in the country, we have invested significantly in growing and strengthening our Legal Service, creating a supportive, collaborative environment where childcare lawyers can develop, thrive and make a genuine difference to the lives of vulnerable children., At Birmingham Children's Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

We recognise the importance of supporting our staff to succeed and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In return, we offer:
• Flexible and hybrid working policy - we are well adapted to a hybrid model of working which includes a combination of time spent in the office and at home and we offer a variety of working patterns
• A supportive, friendly, and highly collaborative legal team
• Regular supervision and mentoring
• Access to training and shared learning opportunities
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Full access to our amazing internal employee benefits scheme including, Salary sacrifice car leasing scheme, Occupational Health services, Rewards Schemes, Benefits discounts (including the Blue Light Card), Health & Fitness, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and Personal Wellbeing support and much more!
• Pension Scheme - You will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme in line with the local government pension scheme.
• A generous annual leave package of 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years of service and 35 days after 10 years of service.
• Free on-site parking at our offices on One Avenue Road (Aston) and Lifford House (Stirchley). We also provide onsite electric car charging ports which are free to use!
Onboarding process Please note as part of our onboarding process, the successful candidate will be required undergo a series of background checks with Experian including Experian DBS, Experian Right to Work, and Digital ID verification. These are essential pre-employment requirements., benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits. Please note