Location
Morden, with team day in Merton on Thursdays and attendance at partner boroughs as required.

Hours
Hybrid working with a minimum monthly presence in the office.

Salary
£60,573 to £70,203 per annum (including an annually reviewed £7,437 Market Supplement)
Golden Hello: £3,000 for external applicants

About the Role
The South London Legal Partnership (SLLP) is recruiting an experienced childcare advocate to join its Social Care and Education Team. This role is ideal for advocates who want to focus on high quality public law advocacy and child protection decision-making without the commercial pressures of private practice.

SLLP provides in-house legal services to the London Boroughs of Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Wandsworth, and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. The partnership offers exposure to complex and challenging care proceedings while maintaining a supportive and collegiate in-house environment.

This advocacy-focused role reports to an Assistant Head of Law within a small specialist team and carries no line management responsibilities. You will act as an in-house advocate in public law childcare proceedings and contribute as a trusted subject matter expert across the service.

Main responsibilities include:
- Acting as an in-house advocate in public law childcare proceedings, representing local authorities in the Family Court
- Conducting advocacy at all stages of proceedings including Case Management Hearings (CMHs), Issues Resolution Hearings (IRHs), and final hearings
- Preparing, analysing, and progressing cases from issue through to conclusion with a strong focus on child protection and risk management
- Advising social workers and managers on the application of the Children Act 1989 and related public law frameworks
- Collaborating closely with legal colleagues and frontline professionals on case strategy and decision-making
- Sharing expertise and good practice across the service to contribute to a strong advocacy culture
- Managing a substantial advocacy caseload while maintaining high professional and ethical standards
- Promoting robust public law outcomes that safeguard children and support families
- Delivering training to social work clients and legal colleagues to support continuous professional development

Experience
Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive (Fellow of CILEX) with rights of advocacy.
Solid experience in public law children’s work, gained either in local government or private practice; prior in-house experience is not essential.
Proven ability to manage complex childcare cases and deliver high-quality advocacy.

About You
Excellent drafting, communication, and client care skills.
Committed to safeguarding children and supporting families through robust public law outcomes.
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and contribute to a positive advocacy culture.

Qualifications
Qualified as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with rights of advocacy.
Continuous professional development and willingness to deliver training to colleagues and clients.