Job Details

Legal Assistant – Social Care & Education

Location: Solihull
Working Pattern: Part-time, 3 days per week (Wednesday–Friday)
Contract: Temporary
Pay Rate: £15.82–£17.85 per hour PAYE, depending on experience
Department: Legal & Democratic Services
Team: Social Care & Education

About the Role

We are currently recruiting for a Legal Assistant to join the Social Care & Education legal team, supporting solicitors across childcare, adult social care and education law.

This is an excellent opportunity for a legal professional with experience in family law, childcare law or a social care legal environment to provide high-quality legal and casework support within a local authority setting.

The successful candidate will support solicitors with the administration and progression of legal caseloads, particularly public law pre-proceedings, care proceedings and associated childcare matters, as well as Court of Protection proceedings and SEND Tribunals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal and casework support to solicitors within the Social Care & Education team.
• Assist with Pre-Proceedings, Care Proceedings and other public law childcare matters.
• Support with Court of Protection proceedings and SEND Tribunals.
• Draft court applications, legal documents and correspondence to a high standard.
• Liaise with internal clients, external agencies, courts, counsel, experts and other relevant professionals.
• Request, chase, check and collate witness statements and disclosure documentation.
• Organise witness attendance at court.
• Prepare and maintain court bundles and assist with the filing and service of documents.
• Maintain accurate case records and ensure files are kept up to date.
• Accurately record time worked and ensure work is completed in line with relevant legal and departmental standards.
• Undertake legal research and additional legal casework as knowledge and experience develops.
• Where appropriate, represent the Authority at straightforward Public Law Outline Pre-Proceedings Meetings and undertake straightforward advocacy.
• Handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately at all times.

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience working within a legal, family law or childcare/social care legal environment.
• A qualifying Law Degree, GDL/CPE, relevant CILEX qualification, or substantial experience within the childcare legal sector.
• Working knowledge of childcare law, family proceedings and Family Court processes.
• Experience drafting legal documents and correspondence.
• Strong understanding of legal casework and court procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a wider legal team.
• The ability to handle confidential and sensitive information professionally.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and legal case management systems.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience working within a Local Authority legal department.
• Recent experience of public law childcare/care proceedings.
• Experience in Adult Social Care and/or Education/SEND law.
• Experience using Iken or another legal case management system.
• Knowledge of LEXCEL Law Society Practice Management Standards.
• Previous experience undertaking advocacy.

The Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in candidates with backgrounds such as:

• Childcare Legal Assistant
• Childcare Paralegal
• Family Law Paralegal
• Family Law Legal Assistant
• Social Care Paralegal
• Legal Officer – Childcare/Social Care

Candidates should have practical experience supporting family/childcare legal casework and court proceedings, rather than purely administrative legal experience.

Additional Information

The role is part-time, working Wednesday to Friday. The successful candidate must be able to travel around the Borough and surrounding areas when required.

This role involves working with sensitive information relating to children, families and vulnerable adults, so a high level of confidentiality, professionalism and attention to detail is essential.