Qualified Children's Social Worker

Please note - vacancies within our Information and Screening Team will not attract a Professional Retention Payment.

At Cafcass, we're recruiting Children's Social Workers who share our passion, commitment and ambition to facilitate positive outcomes for children involved in private and public law family court proceedings.

Our Social Workers - professionally known as Family Court Advisers (FCAs) - play a vital role. You might work within Private Law team, where there is disagreement on the best arrangements for the welfare of the child(ren) involved), a Public Law team, where local authorities have raised serious welfare concerns, or a converged team covering both law types.

Whatever the team you join, the underlying role is the same - to speak on behalf of children and young people to ensure their thoughts, wishes and feelings are not just understood but heard.

As the only organisation that does this kind of work, FCAs can make recommendations leading to lasting change for children and families, which is why this is a responsibility we take seriously. And why we're committed to creating a safe, healthy and supportive environment for our colleagues to practice.

As part of this early analysis, FCAs will also write assessments to the court, providing clear and succinct recommendations and professional advice. This includes outlining any immediate safeguarding issues and advising on the most proportionate, child-focused next steps to support early judicial decision-making. In person court attendance to offer further advice and guidance where necessary is also a requirement.

As a FCA at Cafcass, you will:

• Complete high quality assessments, engaging directly with children to understand their experiences, wishes and feelings - and ensure these are clearly and powerfully represented to the family court.
• Apply your expertise in risk assessment, analysis and mediation, advocating for solutions that place the child's safety, wellbeing and long term interests at the centre of decision making.
• Work with adults, local authorities, and a wide range of professionals to help resolve complex issues and influence better outcomes for children.

Our Social Workers work flexibly across multiple settings - including the office in Birmingham, home, courts, schools and other appropriate, safe locations, and we ensure you have the technology to do this.

Shared learning is very important to us, and we bring our teams together regularly, both remotely and in-person, for team meetings and group supervision, which creates space to connect with peers and managers, reflect on practice, and feel supported.

You’ll also have regular 1:1 time with your manager, especially during your induction, and again there will be a balance between doing this remotely and in-person, so you have opportunities to form in-person connections.

If shortlisted, the hiring manager will be able to give you more insight into what a typical week or month might look like should you join us.

• Converged team based in Birmingham - covering Public law, Private Law and Pathfinder - £4,000 Professional Joining Incentive applies

• Converged team based in Worcester - covering Public law, Private Law and Pathfinder - £4,000 Professional Joining Incentive applies

• Pathfinder - Information and Screening Team based in Birmingham - Family Court Advisors in the Pathfinder screening position play a central role in ensuring a consistent and child-focused response at the earliest stage of involvement. This is fast-paced, short-term work that requires timely analysis and clear decision-making. You will undertake an initial, expert review of all incoming families, assessing risk, identifying safeguarding concerns, and determining the most appropriate next steps for children and families within private law proceedings.
  
  You are required to gather clear information, collaborate with partners, and at times may be required to complete direct work with families. £4,000 Professional Joining Incentive is not applicable for these roles

As the largest employer of Children's Social Workers in England, we're uniquely placed to support your professional growth and wellbeing.

• High quality equipment and technology to help you work efficiently and engage with families effectively.
• Access to specialist resources, guidance and training to strengthen your practice.
• A strong commitment to wellbeing, reflective supervision and healthy work-life balance.
• An inclusive environment that values diversity, encourages learning and constantly strives to improve outcomes for children, families and colleagues alike.

You can find more about how we support our practitioners on our website, and we'll share more during the selection process.

Below we have set out an indicative timetable we are hoping to work towards, although dates are subject to change.