What you need to know about legal locum jobs: Q&A with Kate Flounders

Locum work offers legal professionals a unique opportunity to gain flexibility, experience a diverse range of cases, and maintain a better work-life balance. For many, it provides the chance to take control of their career while still contributing meaningfully to their field. 

At Sellick Partnership, we work closely with both locum and permanent legal professionals, helping them navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with each path. 

We recently spoke to Kate Flounders, a specialist in child protection law who has worked with families, children and local authorities for over 20 years. In 2014 Kate founded Safeguarding Association to support designated Safeguarding Leads, working in post-16 education. 

To allow Kate the flexibility to offering this support alongside her work as a Solicitor, she ventured into the locum market! Kate has now been working as a Locum Solicitor, alongside building her business.

As one of the leading legal locum recruitment agencies, Sellick Partnership is committed to providing insight into the world of locum work. Whether you're new to the concept or looking to make the switch, Kate’s insights could help guide your next steps.

What motivated you to become a locum?

I'd worked in private practice and as a Local Authority Solicitor for a number of years before becoming a locum. I was made redundant from private practice twice: first during the 2008 financial crisis, and secondly when the legal aid cuts came in, in 2013. 

I loved the work I did, and loved family law and, in particular, really enjoyed care work. I decided that rather than be tied to a firm, I would try locuming and it has fitted with my lifestyle brilliantly.

For how many years have you been locuming, and what do you like in particular?

I've been a locum since 2014, it’s a role I really like. I love being able to move around different locations, and meet different people. I also run my own consultancy firm, Safeguarding Association, and provide training and support to safeguarding leads in and around the country. As a direct result of my locum work, I have become better equipped to understand working practices up and down the country. 

Many people believe the court system is - or should be - the same across the UK, therefore, they think if they start a matter in one area (Newcastle for example), the process will be exactly the same in Devon. 

I know from my experience that that isn't the case, whilst the law is applied across the country it changes and that experience and knowledge has helped me greatly when dealing with clients in my own consultancy, and also helping social workers understand the different practices when they come into a new local authority.

What are the key differences between permanent work and locum work?

I think for me the main difference with locum roles is you are not a permanent member of the team. So that means I can mostly stay away from office politics and not need to be involved in the steering of the department. Obviously, this is different if you are in a managerial role as a locum.

As a locum you don't get set holidays, your holiday pay is inclusive of your hourly rate, therefore any holidays will usually be taken after a contract ends, or during a contract with agreement from the employer. 

To some extent, you can determine the hours you work (obviously with the agreement of your manager) and can determine how many weeks of the year you wish to work. You can also determine how many weeks you take between contracts and how long you wish your contract to be. Some contracts can last for a month or two, whilst others will be ongoing for several months if not years. 

My preference is shorter contracts and breaks in between. However, I have friends that locum and prefer longer contracts and will take holiday breaks during those contracts.

I think the biggest difference is in state of mind. As a permanent member of staff, most Lawyers will need to give at least three months’ notice should they choose to move on. However, as a locum, you usually only need to give one week. It’s important to remember that this works both ways. I do find that most organisations will give you as many weeks as they are able, however, that can be too much of an uncertainty for some people.

What do you find the best part of your job as a Locum Childcare Lawyer?

The best part of my job is actually part of my job description. I love supporting new Lawyers, Social Workers and safeguarding professionals to understand where they sit within the legal framework, what they can and can't do, and how it all applies. 

This also brings with it some of the biggest challenges, for various reasons. For example, helping to guide clients to understand the various options available to them, with often little knowledge of the legal framework, through no fault of their own. 

It can also be a real challenge for new Solicitors coming into the world of child protection and understanding the various elements of guidance, statutory legislative strategy guidance and legislation that local authorities have to comply with that never crosses their path when they are in private practice. This can highlight the importance of having experienced legal professionals taking on these roles, in order to help train their junior counterparts. 

What key advice you would give other legal professionals thinking about locuming?

Being a locum can be incredibly rewarding. You can meet some amazing people, deal with some incredible cases and actually make a real difference for the time that you are in a local authority. 

But, this is not the purpose of the locum role. You are there to deal with an immediate need, you will get paid well for dealing with that immediate need, but this often requires someone that can deal with a demanding and often busier caseload. 

You can be asked to deal with any number of things, and working for a local authority, they can be incredibly varied and incredibly challenging. If you've never worked within the public sector previously, I would highly recommend upping your knowledge on the rules and regulations local authorities have to comply with. This and maybe talking to local authority peers, if you have any, in order to understand some of the issues that they face. 

Local authorities expect locums to be able to come in and hit the ground running. You will not get the chance to learn on the job and will be expected to manage a number of cases, often quite complex, and can often be required to undertake your own advocacy.

Locuming is extremely rewarding. It means I get to keep up my legal skills whilst also running my own consultancy. I find that often the two work well together and it allows me to have the balance I have always hoped for. 

Get in touch 

If you're considering locum work or want to explore how it could fit into your legal career, Sellick Partnership is here to help. Our team of specialist legal recruiters is dedicated to supporting professionals like you, whether you’re just starting your locum journey or are looking for your next opportunity. 

Reach out to us today for expert advice, guidance, and to explore the latest locum roles. We’re ready to help you take the next step in your legal career.