We’re currently seeking an experienced Children Law/Childcare Solicitor to join our established Children Law team.
– Work within one of the largest family law teams in the country
– Ranked on the Legal 500 in Yorkshire
– Join a friendly and supportive team of experienced family solicitors, with an exceptional reputation in the region
– Flexible working options designed to support you
Children Law Solicitor Vacancy
We have an exciting opportunity for a talented and motivated solicitor to join our highly regarded and fast-paced children law team.
You’ll be joining a friendly, supportive team with a strong ethos of collaboration and shared purpose. Our solicitors, paralegals, legal assistants, and secretaries work closely together to deliver exceptional client service—and to support one another.
While we operate across multiple offices, with members of the team based in each office, we function as one cohesive team, stepping in to assist with hearings, share workloads, and cover annual leave when needed. You’ll never feel isolated—we pride ourselves on creating a connected and team-driven working environment.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to relocate or move back to the South Yorkshire area.
You will have a solid understanding of childcare law, with experience managing your own public law caseload and conducting advocacy. Children Law Accreditation is desirable, though not essential.
This is a varied role that combines office-based work, court attendance, and remote working, offering flexibility alongside hands-on legal experience.
Our Family Law department is one of the largest in the North of England and enjoys an outstanding reputation across the region. We are proud to be ranked in the Legal 500, with excellent client feedback reflected in our rankings on Review Solicitors—#2 in Sheffield and #1 in both Rotherham and Barnsley.
Children Law Solicitor Responsibilities
As part of your role, you will be responsible for:
– Managing a diverse caseload of often complex child law work
– Providing written advice to the client, where necessary, managing the client’s expectations.
– Holding a caseload of care and pre proceedings cases; possibility of some private law children cases
– Advising clients on child protection, care proceedings, special guardianship, private law proceedings, fostering and adoption
– Attending court
– Attending PLO meetings
– Meeting the commercial requirements of the company through effective and efficient case management and excellent client care
About Howells Solicitors
Howells Solicitors is a well-established and highly regarded law firm serving clients across South Yorkshire—and nationwide in select areas of law.
With offices in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley, we provide expert legal advice and representation to individuals and families, offering both private and legal aid services. Our focus is on delivering high-quality, personal legal support across a broad range of areas, including family law, wills and probate, criminal defence, and civil litigation.
Our Children Law team is one of the largest and most respected in the North of England, with a strong reputation for handling complex cases involving care proceedings, social services involvement, and other children law matters.
Strategically located near family law courts centres in South Yorkshire—including our head office in Sheffield directly adjacent to the family courts—we’re well positioned to serve clients efficiently and effectively.
At Howells, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Our Children Law solicitors work as a close-knit, supportive team—reflecting the wider firm’s strong culture of teamwork, respect, and shared purpose.
Howells offer a wide range of benefits including:
Holiday Entitlement
We understand the importance of quality time – especially if you have a family at home. That’s why our holiday entitlement is designed to give you the time you need to truly switch off and enjoy life outside of work.
– Fee earners and managers receive 30 days of annual leave—well above the regional average for law firms.
– Support staff start with 23 days, increasing by 1 day each year of service up to 28 days, rewarding your commitment over time.
– Everyone also benefits from 3 additional discretionary days over the Christmas period, giving you more time to spend with loved ones during the holidays.
– On top of this, there are 8 bank holidays throughout the year.
Whether it’s school holidays, family travel, or simply time to recharge, we offer the flexibility and generous leave you need to make it all work.
Flexible Working
We believe that a healthy work life balance is important, so we’ve built flexibility into the way we work. We offer flexible working for many of our roles across the firm.
Whether it’s school runs, family commitments, or simply needing a bit more breathing room in your schedule, we offer a range of flexible working options designed to support you:
– Flexible working patterns are available for many roles across the firm, including opportunities for remote or hybrid working, depending on your position.
– Our flexi-time scheme means there is potential to adjust your start and finish times to better suit your family’s routine.
– You’ll also have the option to take up to 4 flex days per year, in addition to your holiday entitlement giving you extra time for those moments that matter most.
We’re committed to helping you thrive in your role—without having to compromise on your personal and family life.
Other Benefits
And there’s even more to support you throughout your career with us. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits that reflect our commitment to your personal, professional, and financial well-being:
– Potential for a fee earner bonus
– Contributory pension scheme to help plan for your future
– Supportive, inclusive team culture, where 89% of our people choose to stay
– Group Life Assurance (death in service) after 2 years’ service
– STAR Award (Special Thanks and Recognition) – celebrating those who go above and beyond
– Exceptional training and development programmes, including alternative routes into law
– A firm-wide ethos of promoting from within, with clear, tailored career progression opportunities
– Sick pay and contractual maternity pay entitlements, offering added peace of mind for you and your family
– Recruitment bonus payments for successful referrals
– Access to a Social Fund to support team events and wellbeing activities
– A range of voluntary benefits including the Westfield Health scheme, Cycle to Work scheme, and staff savings scheme
We’re proud to offer a workplace where your success is nurtured—and your well-being supported every step of the way.
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy please contact our HR team on 0114 249 6763 or email [email protected]
Please send all completed applications to [email protected] with the position applied for in the subject line
Please note, individual feedback will not be given due to the number of applicants we receive.
Personal Injury
Children Law
Civil Liberties & Inquests
Criminal Defence
Family Law
Medical Negligence
Motoring Offences
Conveyancing
Wills, Trust & Probate