Childcare Advocate

3 months contract with local government
Job Summary:
· Act on behalf of the council and protection of its interests through regular representation at court in child protection cases and other areas of law as undertaken by the team, where the post holder has rights of audience. On occasions, this will be on short notice or out of hours. To work with all the members of the team to ensure that cases are fully prepared and presented to a high standard and in accordance with best practice.
· To receive instructions from team members (briefs) on cases requiring representation at court, including hearings at short notice. In addition, manage a small caseload of related matters as directed by the Head of Team and to work collaboratively with the team to ensure cases are covered in the absence of colleagues.
· Preparation and processing of all matters relevant to any proceedings relating to the work of the team, including the evaluation of evidence, drafting positions statements, case summaries, threshold documents, order and other documents as required by the Court or in the course of proceedings.
· Regular liaison with Government Departments, Council Departments, other sections of the legal service, External Agencies, Courts, External Solicitors, Barristers, KC’s, Experts (including medical consultants), on all aspects of the work of the team and establishing and reviewing procedures for processing that work and other ancillary matters.
· Devising and implementing new methods, forms and procedures as required by new legislation in relation to the law and practice relating to child care under the direction of the Head of Team.
· Determining the effect of new legislation and advising specifically and generally in connection therewith to the team and client officers.
· To provide professional support including mentoring and training, guidance to others in Legal Services to develop their advocacy and drafting skills, etiquette and knowledge of the law and practice of child care. To plan and deliver training to other officers in the Council on the law and practice of child care and court room skills and etiquette generally.
· Preparing reports or legal concurrents for Council, the Executive, Committees and Sub-Committees.
· To undertake corporate work by assisting Head of Team, Senior Lawyers and this may require attendance at Committees & Sub-Committees, as to the law on matters specifically relating to the work of the team. Occasional attendance at evening meetings may be required.
· Undertaking research upon complex legal questions arising from the work of the team including, where necessary, briefing Counsel and/or consultants, and instructing Experts and Consultants.
· Maintain a sound understanding of local management initiatives (Lexcel, IIP), Health and Safety, Departmental Business Planning.
· To work to a high professional standard and in accordance with the requirements of the Office Procedures Manual and as directed by the Head of Team.
· Working closely with other advocates and other members of the team to ensure service is delivered to the highest standard.
Key Duties/Responsibilities (Sample):
· There is strong demand for advocacy particularly in relation to care proceedings
· Case work undertaken by the council. The council issues a high numbers of care proceedings in London and with that comes the need for advocates to be able to represent the authority at the main courts; the Central Family Court, which includes hearing before magistrates, district judges, recorders and circuit judges and the High Court of Justice. Southwark cases are on occasion, listed at other courts in London. On occasion, the council is required to be represented at private law hearings and adoption matters.
· In house advocate positions have been established in order to cover the majority of hearings that are a day or less in duration and where capacity permits, hearings of longer duration, which would otherwise be outsourced to counsel.
· Advocates operate with a high degree of self management and are provided with the technology to be able to work in a range of environments.
· Advocates must develop and maintain a sound working knowledge of the IT systems used in the Council and relevant to this role and to use these systems as required, to access data and to upload information as directed.
· Advocates will be required to maintain their own records in order that performance monitoring of their work is readily available and attend any relevant meetings to discuss performance.
· The long term impact of this role will be to reduce our external spend on counsel and with that to provide greater continuity of advocate in child care cases. In addition, the advocates will be able to support and mentor others in the team to develop their advocacy and drafting skills. All these features will contribute to the long term improvement of the service as well as individuals. These roles are also likely to provide a template for developing other advocacy teams elsewhere in Legal Services, particularly in areas of high volume less complex work.
Essential Experience Required:
· SRA accredited Lawyer or Solicitor, or Barrister Called to the Bar, or Fellow of Cilex.
· 3 years’ experience post qualifications.
Additional information to note:
· This position is located at Southwark, SE1 2QH
The closing date for this position is asap