Children Solicitor

• Children work only — no crossover into divorce or finance files
• 4 days working from home once settled, with genuine flexibility around experience and location
• Bonus of 1/3 of billings above target in a Legal 500-ranked team

Children lawyers are increasingly being asked to do more with less — more files, more admin, more pressure, often without the support or flexibility to make the job sustainable long term.

This Blackburn-based role feels noticeably different. The team is growing quickly because the demand for children work continues to increase, and there’s already more work coming in than the department currently has capacity for. You’ll step into an existing caseload from day one, supported by dedicated paralegal and secretarial help, centralised billing and a leadership team that remains approachable despite the firm’s rapid growth.

The role is focused purely on children matters, both private and public, with a strong legal aid presence but more private work than care proceedings overall. Advocacy forms part of the role, but not at the intensity some firms expect, and the team is flexible around experience. If you prefer private children work and don’t currently handle care proceedings, that won’t be a barrier here.

Over time, there’s clear opportunity to build your profile within the department, develop panel memberships and potentially take on leadership or supervisory responsibilities if that interests you. Importantly, progression here feels achievable rather than theoretical — the department is expanding organically, and the firm invests heavily in retaining and developing good people long term.

Culturally, the environment is modern, compassionate and refreshingly supportive. Sensitive work is taken seriously, wellbeing is prioritised properly rather than performatively, and lawyers are trusted to manage their work without unnecessary micromanagement. The hybrid model is well established, with most solicitors typically only in the office once a week or once every two weeks once settled.

Who we’re looking for

• Solicitor ideally with 2–3 PQE+ in children law (E)
• Ability to manage a caseload independently (E)
• Experience in private and/or public children work (E)
• Strong client care and communication skills (E)
• Compassionate, emotionally intelligent and resilient approach (E)
• Comfortable handling sensitive matters including domestic abuse (E)
• Advocacy experience (D)
• Panel membership (D)
• Supervisory experience or interest in leadership long term (D)
• Progressive, collaborative and team-oriented mindset (E)

What you’ll be doing

• Managing a children law caseload independently
• Handling a mix of private and public children matters
• Conducting advocacy where appropriate
• Working closely with paralegal and secretarial support
• Managing legal aid work and client communication
• Supporting the continued growth of the department
• Building long-term relationships with clients and referrers
• Potentially supporting junior staff over time

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary depending on experience and billings
• Bonus of 1/3 of all billings above target
• Hybrid working with typically only 1 office day per week once settled
• Legal 500-ranked family team
• Children work only — no crossover into other family disciplines
• BUPA private healthcare after 12 months (including counselling support)
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Birthday off every year
• Additional annual leave with length of service (up to 30 days + BH)
• Significant investment in technology and AI
• Centralised billing and minimal admin burden
• Genuine long-term progression and panel support
• Stable, growing team with excellent retention and approachable leadership

Contact Mel Samson
📩 mel.samson@realmrecruit.com
📞 03300 245 606
Mel specialises in family recruitment across the North West and can give you a clear picture of how this role compares to others currently on the market.