Interested in this role? Apply without delay by uploading your CV with a covering letter.
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Role title
Children’s Panel Solicitor
Department / Team
Public Family Law
Reporting Line
Head of Department
Role Purpose
To manage a caseload of public children law and care proceedings matters to work out of a serviced office in the south of the region, providing high-quality advice and representation to children, parents and family members. The role requires a technically strong solicitor with at least 6 years’ post-qualification experience, membership of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme / Children Panel, and the ability to manage complex, sensitive and urgent matters with confidence, empathy and sound professional judgement. Career progression opportunities for the right candidate.
Progression will be supported where the candidate demonstrates consistently strong technical ability, excellent client care, sound judgement, effective file management, reliable financial performance and a positive contribution to the wider team.
The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop their profile internally and externally, contribute to the growth of the department, strengthen relationships with key referrers and stakeholders, and support the supervision and development of junior colleagues.
The firm is committed to recognising ambition, supporting professional development and providing a structured pathway for candidates who show the ability and appetite to take on greater responsibility over time.
- Manage a broad caseload of public children law matters, including care proceedings, child protection issues, emergency applications, placement and adoption matters, special guardianship, discharge applications and related children law proceedings.
- Advise and represent children, parents and family members in complex and sensitive proceedings, including acting through children’s guardians where appropriate, and provide clear support throughout each matter.
- Progress matters effectively from instruction to conclusion by managing client expectations, meeting urgent deadlines, reviewing evidence promptly, controlling costs and preparing for hearings, advocates’ meetings, professionals’ meetings and conferences with counsel.
- Maintain full compliance with the SRA Standards and Regulations, Legal Aid Agency requirements, court rules, case management directions, safeguarding obligations and all internal policies and procedures.
- Contribute to a strong learning culture by sharing technical knowledge, reviewing work where appropriate and providing supervision, guidance and support to trainees, paralegals, legal assistants and junior fee earners working on children law matters.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with children’s guardians, counsel, experts, local authorities, other solicitors, support services and court staff.
- Maintain a strong understanding of the firm’s services, client base and market sectors, and participate actively in business development through networking, relationship building, and appropriate use of social media to promote both the firm and personal profile.
- Maintain membership of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme / Children Panel, meet all associated obligations and support the maintenance and renewal of firm-wide accreditations where required.
- Qualified solicitor with a minimum of 6 years’ PQE and substantial experience in care proceedings and public children law with an established following and own caseload
- Current membership of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme / Children Panel.
- Strong working knowledge of legal aid, case management, court processes, safeguarding issues and the practical realities of representing vulnerable clients.
- Excellent client care skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, sensitively and confidently in difficult circumstances.
- Ability to manage a busy caseload, prioritise urgent work, meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
- A collaborative, supportive and professional approach, with the ability to contribute positively to the department and wider firm.
- Enhanced DBS check.
ABOUT RICHARD REED SOLICITORS
We are a progressive and ambitious award-winning law firm with roots going back to the 1940s. Now, in the 2020s, our forward-thinking leadership team is taking the firm to new heights with exciting plans for growth ahead.
At the very heart of those plans are our people. We understand and embrace that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to continually building an inclusive and supportive working environment. This enables our team to do their best work benefiting both our colleagues and our clients alike.
As a Lexcel-accredited practice, we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding client care and high-quality legal services, while offering an enjoyable, supportive and professional working environment.
Our New Home at The Beam
We have recently relocated to The Beam, a landmark riverside development in the heart of Sunderland city centre. Our new office provides a modern, flexible and collaborative working environment, designed to support our teams as we continue to grow and innovate all within easy reach of local amenities, transport links and the wider business community.
OUR CORE VALUES
Our firm’s values influence, guide and shape everything we do — for our clients and for each other. We are:
Results driven
We get the job done. Our team is motivated and driven to succeed, putting passion and energy into every case to achieve positive outcomes for our clients.
Agile
No two people or businesses are the same. We adapt our approach and services to meet the needs of our clients and our colleagues.
Proactive
We work collaboratively to anticipate, identify and prevent problems before they arise.
Teamwork
We believe in the power of collaboration. Our people bring together their expertise and experience to deliver the best possible advice and support at every stage.
Supportive
We value open communication and mutual respect. We listen, share ideas and work together to find solutions.
WHY JOIN OUR FIRM
- Be part of our exciting future
- Truly make a difference within our local communities
- Be supported by friendly, knowledgeable colleagues who share the same values
- Ongoing career development through in-house and external training
- Regular appraisals and feedback
- Competitive, market-rate salaries
- 27 days’ holiday
- Christmas Eve off
- Office closure between Christmas and New Year
- Pension
- Death in service insurance
- Regular social events
- Employee high-street discounts app (Reward Me Now)
- Discounted legal services for employees
WORKING IN SUNDERLAND
Thanks to ongoing regeneration, more and more talented professionals are choosing to grow their careers in Sunderland.
It is a dynamic place to work, live and enjoy — offering a welcoming culture alongside major investment and development across the city. Sunderland boasts fantastic cafés, restaurants, bars, museums, parks, sports facilities and, unlike many other cities, a beautiful coastline.
The city is exceptionally well connected:
By car: Accessible via the A1(M), A19, A690, A184 and Tyne Tunnel, with direct links to Newcastle, Durham, Middlesbrough, London and Scotland.
By rail: Sunderland railway station is centrally located and connected via the Metro, with easy access on foot, by bus or car.
Role title
Children’s Panel Solicitor
Department / Team
Public Family Law
Reporting Line
Head of Department
Role Purpose
To manage a caseload of public children law and care proceedings matters to work out of a serviced office in the south of the region, providing high-quality advice and representation to children, parents and family members. The role requires a technically strong solicitor with at least 6 years’ post-qualification experience, membership of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme / Children Panel, and the ability to manage complex, sensitive and urgent matters with confidence, empathy and sound professional judgement. Career progression opportunities for the right candidate.
Progression will be supported where the candidate demonstrates consistently strong technical ability, excellent client care, sound judgement, effective file management, reliable financial performance and a positive contribution to the wider team.
The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop their profile internally and externally, contribute to the growth of the department, strengthen relationships with key referrers and stakeholders, and support the supervision and development of junior colleagues.
The firm is committed to recognising ambition, supporting professional development and providing a structured pathway for candidates who show the ability and appetite to take on greater responsibility over time.
- Manage a broad caseload of public children law matters, including care proceedings, child protection issues, emergency applications, placement and adoption matters, special guardianship, discharge applications and related children law proceedings.
- Advise and represent children, parents and family members in complex and sensitive proceedings, including acting through children’s guardians where appropriate, and provide clear support throughout each matter.
- Progress matters effectively from instruction to conclusion by managing client expectations, meeting urgent deadlines, reviewing evidence promptly, controlling costs and preparing for hearings, advocates’ meetings, professionals’ meetings and conferences with counsel.
- Maintain full compliance with the SRA Standards and Regulations, Legal Aid Agency requirements, court rules, case management directions, safeguarding obligations and all internal policies and procedures.
- Contribute to a strong learning culture by sharing technical knowledge, reviewing work where appropriate and providing supervision, guidance and support to trainees, paralegals, legal assistants and junior fee earners working on children law matters.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with children’s guardians, counsel, experts, local authorities, other solicitors, support services and court staff.
- Maintain a strong understanding of the firm’s services, client base and market sectors, and participate actively in business development through networking, relationship building, and appropriate use of social media to promote both the firm and personal profile.
- Maintain membership of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme / Children Panel, meet all associated obligations and support the maintenance and renewal of firm-wide accreditations where required.
- Qualified solicitor with a minimum of 6 years’ PQE and substantial experience in care proceedings and public children law with an established following and own caseload
- Current membership of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme / Children Panel.
- Strong working knowledge of legal aid, case management, court processes, safeguarding issues and the practical realities of representing vulnerable clients.
- Excellent client care skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, sensitively and confidently in difficult circumstances.
- Ability to manage a busy caseload, prioritise urgent work, meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
- A collaborative, supportive and professional approach, with the ability to contribute positively to the department and wider firm.
- Enhanced DBS check.
ABOUT RICHARD REED SOLICITORS
We are a progressive and ambitious award-winning law firm with roots going back to the 1940s. Now, in the 2020s, our forward-thinking leadership team is taking the firm to new heights with exciting plans for growth ahead.
At the very heart of those plans are our people. We understand and embrace that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to continually building an inclusive and supportive working environment. This enables our team to do their best work benefiting both our colleagues and our clients alike.
As a Lexcel-accredited practice, we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding client care and high-quality legal services, while offering an enjoyable, supportive and professional working environment.
Our New Home at The Beam
We have recently relocated to The Beam, a landmark riverside development in the heart of Sunderland city centre. Our new office provides a modern, flexible and collaborative working environment, designed to support our teams as we continue to grow and innovate all within easy reach of local amenities, transport links and the wider business community.
OUR CORE VALUES
Our firm’s values influence, guide and shape everything we do — for our clients and for each other. We are:
Results driven
We get the job done. Our team is motivated and driven to succeed, putting passion and energy into every case to achieve positive outcomes for our clients.
Agile
No two people or businesses are the same. We adapt our approach and services to meet the needs of our clients and our colleagues.
Proactive
We work collaboratively to anticipate, identify and prevent problems before they arise.
Teamwork
We believe in the power of collaboration. Our people bring together their expertise and experience to deliver the best possible advice and support at every stage.
Supportive
We value open communication and mutual respect. We listen, share ideas and work together to find solutions.
WHY JOIN OUR FIRM
- Be part of our exciting future
- Truly make a difference within our local communities
- Be supported by friendly, knowledgeable colleagues who share the same values
- Ongoing career development through in-house and external training
- Regular appraisals and feedback
- Competitive, market-rate salaries
- 27 days’ holiday
- Christmas Eve off
- Office closure between Christmas and New Year
- Pension
- Death in service insurance
- Regular social events
- Employee high-street discounts app (Reward Me Now)
- Discounted legal services for employees
WORKING IN SUNDERLAND
Thanks to ongoing regeneration, more and more talented professionals are choosing to grow their careers in Sunderland.
It is a dynamic place to work, live and enjoy — offering a welcoming culture alongside major investment and development across the city. Sunderland boasts fantastic cafés, restaurants, bars, museums, parks, sports facilities and, unlike many other cities, a beautiful coastline.
The city is exceptionally well connected:
By car: Accessible via the A1(M), A19, A690, A184 and Tyne Tunnel, with direct links to Newcastle, Durham, Middlesbrough, London and Scotland.
By rail: Sunderland railway station is centrally located and connected via the Metro, with easy access on foot, by bus or car.
Apply Now
Interested in this role? Apply without delay by uploading your CV with a covering letter.