Location: Engaging directly with children and families in Hampshire (including Portsmouth and Winchester) and Dorset (including Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Weymouth) with a contractual base in either Portsmouth or Bournemouth.
Salary: £45,749 - £49,886 + £4,000 joining incentive (see wider benefits below)
The role at a glance
* Undertake direct work with children and families involved in family court proceedings
* Ensure children’s voices are heard clearly and influence judicial decision‑making
* Collaborate closely with judges, legal professionals and partner agencies
* Practice social work that is purposeful, evidence‑informed and values‑led
What you will do
* Conduct high‑quality assessments that focus on children’s lived experience, safety and wellbeing
* Engage directly with children, ensuring their views, wishes and feelings are understood and represented
* Prepare clear, analytical reports for the family court, including contributions to Child Impact Reports
* Apply robust risk assessment and mediation skills to support child‑focused decision‑making
* Work effectively across private law proceedings, with a strong understanding of public law context
* Manage your caseload independently while contributing to a supportive, learning‑focused team environment
Who we are looking for
We welcome applications from qualified and experienced Children’s Social Workers who share our commitment to child‑centred practice.
You will need
* A recognised Social Work qualification
* Registration with Social Work England
* An understanding of family court processes and private and/or public law
* Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills
* Resilience, professional curiosity and confidence in working autonomously
Benefits
* Opportunities to contribute to nationally significant reform in family justice
* Strong professional supervision and reflective practice
* Access to learning from ongoing Child Focused Court pilots and national rollout activity
* A competitive salary and Local Government pension
* Generous annual leave and wellbeing support
* The resources, equipment and flexibility needed to work effectively, connect with children and your colleagues
Inclusion and belonging
Cafcass is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the children and families we serve. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and value professional diversity, lived experience and different career pathways. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need support at any stage, we encourage you to tell us.
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