Childcare Solicitor Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Most Childcare Solicitor interviews in the UK follow a pattern, and knowing it beats guessing. Below are eight questions from our bank of 12, each with a note on what the interviewer is really after.

Eight Childcare Solicitor interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. What are the threshold criteria under section 31 of the Children Act 1989, and who must prove them?

Why they ask: Threshold is the gateway to every care or supervision order, so it must be second nature.

2. Can you explain the Public Law Outline and the twenty-six week timetable?

Why they ask: They want to know you can run a case through the process and watch timescales.

3. Why do you want to work in childcare law, and how would you cope with the emotional side of the work?

Why they ask: The work is distressing, and they need to know you are committed and resilient.

4. What is the welfare principle, and what does the welfare checklist cover in care proceedings?

Why they ask: This is the central test every decision about a child must meet.

5. What is the test for making a placement order, and what do cases such as Re B-S require of the court?

Why they ask: Adoption without parental consent is the most serious outcome and needs rigorous understanding.

6. You act for a mother in care proceedings and she tells you she has resumed contact with a partner who is the alleged perpetrator, contrary to the agreed safety plan. What do you do?

Why they ask: They are testing duties to client and court, and ability to give robust advice.

7. Tell me about a time you built trust with a vulnerable or reluctant client and how it affected the outcome of the case.

Why they ask: Client engagement is critical in childcare work where trust is often low.

8. An expert report is delayed and the twenty-six week deadline is approaching. What do you do?

Why they ask: Timetable management is vital in public law work.

A sample answer to question 1

What are the threshold criteria under section 31 of the Children Act 1989, and who must prove them?

Section 31(2) says a court may make a care or supervision order only if it is satisfied of two things: that the child concerned is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, and that the harm, or likelihood of harm, is attributable to the care given to the child, or likely to be given, if the order were not made, not being what it would be reasonable to expect a parent to give, or to the child being beyond parental control. The local authority carries the burden of proof, on the balance of probabilities, as Re B confirmed,. Under section 31(9), harm includes impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. Even where threshold is crossed, the court must then consider the welfare checklist and whether making an order is better for the child than no order. I would always scrutinise the threshold document line by line, challenging vague or unsupported allegations.

Common mistake to avoid: Saying suspicion is enough; confusing threshold with welfare

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 12 questions are on the Childcare Solicitor interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.