Vacancy - Education and Community Care Lawyer

JfK are looking to recruit a education and community care lawyer as soon as possible.

The role: mainly to provide children and young people with direct representation and advice at first instance hearings, for example Independent Appeal Panels and SENDIST, as well as judicially reviewing cases, particularly in urgent s17/s20 Children Act 1989 disputes where Local Authorities are not appropriately supporting and accommodating vulnerable young people.

The main activities will include:
· providing legal advice and assistance to children and young people in relation to school admissions and exclusions, special educational needs and appeals to SENDIST;
· providing direct representation at relevant education hearings;
· providing legal advice and assistance to children and young people in the care system, including “looked after” children and those leaving care;
· taking cases and preparing and issuing judicial review challenges in the above fields;
· working with JfK’s Youth Advocate to meet the needs of its client group.
· Participating in the trainings organised by JfK Law.
· Attend relevant trainings in areas of Education or Community Care Law

The Person: The successful candidate will be a solicitor or have other equivalent legal qualifications and experience. We are a small but vibrant community based organisation looking for a hard-working, dedicated, computer literate, individual who is committed to advancing the rights of our client group. The Education and Community Care Lawyer will be under the direct supervision of the Directors of Just for Kids Law. Any job offer is subject to CRB approval.

Hours: We are preferably looking for someone to work full-time. Working hours may be outside typical office hours.

Office: Just For Kids Law is situated at 402 Harrow Rd. The closest underground stations are Westbourne Park (Hammersmith and City) and Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo). The majority of our clients are based locally.

Starting Salary: ₤28,500 per annum.

Application: CV’s and a covering letter to be sent to shauneenlambe@justforkidslaw.org

Closing Date: 6th November 2009.