Childcare Solicitor (Head of Department)

This Head of Childcare Solicitor role in Warwickshire suits a panel-appointed specialist with eight or more years' PQE. The successful candidate will establish and lead a new childcare department, shaping strategy, managing cases and building a team within an ambitious law firm.

Responsibilities include handling public law children matters, supervising junior staff and contributing to business growth. Hybrid working is offered on a full-time contract, with a competitive salary dependent upon experience. Strong advocacy, leadership and client care abilities are essential, alongside panel membership and a proven record in care proceedings.

Head of Childcare – Panel Appointed. Location: Warwickshire. PQE: 8+ years. Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience. Working pattern: Hybrid options available.

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. 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.

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. Importantly, the firm is panel appointed, providing an established platform from which to develop the department and build a strong caseload.

The Role

• Taking the lead on the firm's Childcare offering in Warwickshire.
• Developing and growing a dedicated Childcare department.
• Managing a caseload of complex public and private Children Act matters.
• Handling care proceedings and representing parents, children and other relevant parties.
• Developing relationships with existing referrers and professional contacts.
• Building the firm's profile within the local Childcare market.
• Recruiting, mentoring and developing additional members of the team as the department grows.
• Working closely with the firm's wider management team to develop the strategic direction of the department.
• Maximising the opportunities available through the firm's panel appointment.

The Candidate

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.

You should have:

• Significant post-qualification experience in Childcare law.
• Extensive experience of conducting your own advocacy and managing complex care proceedings.
• Experience acting for parents, children and/or other parties.
• A strong understanding of the Legal Aid framework.
• Excellent client care and communication skills.
• A proven ability to develop professional relationships and generate work.
• The ambition to build and lead a successful specialist team.
• Experience of supervising and mentoring junior lawyers would be advantageous.

Panel accreditation is essential, given the firm's existing panel status and the nature of the opportunity.

The Opportunity

This is much more than a fee-earning role. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build the department around themselves, with genuine autonomy over its development and direction. 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. 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.

What's on offer?

• Genuine Head of Childcare / Department leadership opportunity.
• Existing panel appointment providing an excellent platform for growth.
• Opportunity to build and develop your own team.
• Significant autonomy and influence.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• Excellent long-term career prospects.
• Supportive and ambitious firm.
• Opportunity to establish a significant Childcare practice in Warwickshire.
• 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.

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