Senior Children's Lawyer (Locum)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Children’s Lawyer to join a local authority’s legal services team in Bolton on a locum basis. The role involves delivering high‑quality legal advice and representation on a wide range of complex children’s law matters.

Key responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and conduct proceedings across a varied children’s law caseload, including public and private Children Act proceedings.
• Handle care proceedings, safeguarding matters, adoption cases, forced marriage and FGM issues, education law and immigration‑related matters affecting children.
• Work closely with social care teams and other council departments to deliver clear, practical, solution‑focused advice.
• Draft legal documents, negotiate settlements and represent the council in court hearings.

Required profile

• Previous experience working within a local authority or public‑sector legal team.
• Strong background in children’s social care law and Children Act proceedings.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload independently and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly.

Required skills

• Advocacy in children’s law matters.
• Legal drafting and negotiation.

What we offer

• Competitive hourly rate of £55‑£65.
• Opportunity to work on high‑impact cases within a supportive legal team.
• Flexibility of a locum contract.