Childcare Solicitor (Head of Department)

Job Description Head of Childcare – Panel Appointed /n Location: Warwickshire /n PQE: 8+ years /n Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience /n Working pattern: Hybrid options available /n Head of Childcare – A rare opportunity for an experienced Care Solicitor to establish and build a Childcare department within a growing and ambitious law firm. /n A highly regarded law firm is looking to appoint an experienced Childcare Solicitor / Partner to take responsibility for establishing and developing its Childcare offering in Warwickshire. /n This is a genuine Head of Department opportunity, offering the successful candidate the autonomy to shape the practice, develop the team and play a key role in the firm's future growth. /n Importantly, the firm is panel appointed, providing an established platform from which to develop the department and build a strong caseload. /n The Role /n You will have responsibility for: /n Taking the lead on the firm's Childcare offering in Warwickshire. /n Developing and growing a dedicated Childcare department. /n Managing a caseload of complex public and private Children Act matters. /n Handling care proceedings and representing parents, children and other relevant parties. /n Developing relationships with existing referrers and professional contacts. /n Building the firm's profile within the local Childcare market. /n Recruiting, mentoring and developing additional members of the team as the department grows. /n Working closely with the firm's wider management team to develop the strategic direction of the department. /n Maximising the opportunities available through the firm's panel appointment. /n The Candidate /n The ideal candidate will be an experienced Childcare Solicitor, ideally operating at Partner or Head of Department level, with a strong track record in care proceedings. /n You should have: /n Significant post-qualification experience in Childcare law. /n Extensive experience of conducting your own advocacy and managing complex care proceedings. /n Experience acting for parents, children and/or other parties. /n A strong understanding of the Legal Aid framework. /n Excellent client care and communication skills. /n A proven ability to develop professional relationships and generate work. /n The ambition to build and lead a successful specialist team. /n Experience of supervising and mentoring junior lawyers would be advantageous. /n Panel accreditation is essential, given the firm's existing panel status and the nature of the opportunity. /n The Opportunity /n This is much more than a fee-earning role. /n The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build the department around themselves, with genuine autonomy over its development and direction. /n The firm is looking for someone with the vision and ambition to establish a strong Childcare presence in Warwickshire and, over time, recruit and develop a team around them. /n For an ambitious Childcare Partner or senior solicitor, this represents an opportunity to make a real mark and build something significant rather than inherit an established department with limited scope for change. /n What's on offer? /n Genuine Head of Childcare / Department leadership opportunity. /n Existing panel appointment providing an excellent platform for growth. /n Opportunity to build and develop your own team. /n Significant autonomy and influence. /n Competitive salary and benefits package. /n Hybrid and flexible working options. /n Excellent long-term career prospects. /n Supportive and ambitious firm. /n Opportunity to establish a significant Childcare practice in Warwickshire. /n This is an excellent opportunity for a panel-appointed Childcare lawyer who is ready to take the next step and build a department of their own. /n /n