Head of Childcare - Stoke-on-Trent

Head of Childcare Department (Senior Solicitor)

Location: Coventry, West MidlandsSalary: Competitive + Leadership Package + Bonus OpportunitiesContract: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Opportunity

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Childcare Solicitor to lead and develop a well-established Childcare Department within a nationally recognised law firm.

This role offers the chance to join a growing and ambitious practice with a strong reputation for excellence in publicly funded family and childcare work. The firm is recognised by leading independent legal directories and has developed a reputation for delivering outstanding client care, high-quality legal services and meaningful career progression opportunities. The childcare team has experienced significant growth in recent years and continues to invest heavily in its people, infrastructure and regional presence.

The successful candidate will play a key strategic role in establishing and leading the Coventry Childcare Department, driving growth, supervising and mentoring lawyers, and maintaining the highest standards of client service and legal excellence.

The Role

As Head of Department, you will:

• Lead and manage a busy Childcare and Public Law Children team.
• Conduct your own caseload of complex childcare matters, including:
• Care Proceedings
• Supervision Orders
• Emergency Protection Orders
• Special Guardianship Orders
• Adoption Proceedings
• Deprivation of Liberty matters
• Cases involving non-accidental injuries, abuse, neglect and safeguarding concerns.
• Develop and implement the department's strategic growth plans.
• Recruit, supervise and mentor solicitors, legal executives, trainees and support staff.
• Maintain compliance with Legal Aid Agency requirements and professional standards.
• Build and strengthen relationships with local authorities, guardians, barristers and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to business development, networking and profile-raising activities across the region.
• Work closely with senior management on departmental performance, budgeting and growth initiatives.
• About You

We are seeking an ambitious and commercially aware leader who combines technical excellence with a genuine passion for childcare law.

You will ideally possess:

• A minimum of 8 years' PQE in Childcare/Public Law Children work.
• Law Society Children Panel Accreditation (essential).
• Significant advocacy and case management experience.
• Experience supervising and mentoring junior lawyers.
• A proven track record of managing complex and sensitive childcare matters.
• Strong leadership, organisational and business development skills.
• Excellent client care and communication abilities.
• A desire to build and lead a successful regional team.
• What We Offer
• The opportunity to lead and shape a department with genuine autonomy.
• A strong pipeline of publicly funded childcare work.
• Access to an established national network of specialist family and childcare lawyers.
• High-quality administrative and management support.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Clear career progression at senior leadership level.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Ongoing professional development and leadership training.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join a progressive, people-focused law firm that combines the resources and reputation of a national practice with the culture and accessibility of a regional firm. The organisation is recognised for its expertise in family and childcare law, commitment to legal aid work, and investment in the growth of its lawyers and departments. The firm has received recognition from both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners and continues to expand its childcare offering across England.

If you are an experienced Childcare Solicitor looking for the opportunity to lead, influence strategy and build a thriving department within a highly regarded firm, please get in touch with Rory Brand at Simpson Judge today for a highly confidential chat.