Qualified Children's Social Worker

We are offering a 4000 Professional Joining Incentive if you successfully join one of our teams in this can find out further information about this incentive and the associated terms and conditions by accessing the relevant vacancy document.

At Cafcass were recruiting Childrens 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 bestarrangements 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 it is responsibility we take seriously. And why were committed to creating a safe healthy and supportive environment for our colleagues to practice.

What youll be doing

As a FCA at Cafcass you will:

• Complete highquality 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 childs safety wellbeing and longterm interests at the centre of decisionmaking.
• Work with adults local authorities and a wide range of professionals to help resolve complex issues and influence better outcomes for children.

Who were looking for:

Were looking for practitioners who are confident curious compassionate and committed to excellent social work practice.

To join us youll need:

• A Social Work qualification is essential.
• Have the Right to Work in the UK (we dont sponsor people to work in the UK).
• Registered with Social Work England (or likely to be able to register quickly if practising outside England).
• Recent relevant experience of working directly with children and families.
• Its desirable youll have experience in family court proceedings or knowledge of Private and/or Public Law.
• For applicants with limited postqualifying experience relevant prequalifying experience supporting children and families may be beneficial.
• Strong organisational skills professional resilience and the ability to work independently while effectively managing a varied caseload.

You can view the full job description in the vacancy documents.

Where youll work

Our Social Workers work flexibly across multiple settings including the office in Nottingham or Derby 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.

Youll 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.

How we support you

As the largest employer of Childrens Social Workers in England were uniquely placed to support your professional growth and wellbeing.

At Cafcass youll benefit from:

• Highquality 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 worklife 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 well share more during the selection process.

Next steps

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

If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process please contact

Before applying we encourage you to read about our offer and pre-employment checks. Any questions or concerns can be confidentially raised through your application.

Successful applicants will complete several preengagement checks including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If any criminal offences are disclosed we will conduct an individual assessment in line with the DBS code of practice and the Cafcass DBS policy.

We are Cafcass the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and we represent children in family court cases in England.

Independently advising the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests we speak up for overchildren every year when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures ensuring their needs wishes and feelings are heard.

Watch our video to find out we dont just listen to childrens voices but we can be their voice.