Overview
Join to apply for the Qualified Children\'s Social Worker role at Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service).
We are hiring Children’s Social Workers for our Private / Public Law and/or WAFH teams. In the Private/Public Law teams, Children’s Social Workers (professionally called Family Court Advisers) contribute to cases where families need help to agree on the best welfare and safety arrangements for the child(ren) involved, or where the local authority has serious concerns and Cafcass involvement is requested. In the Work After First Hearing team, you’ll apply your social work skills to understand what the child needs, wants and feels, advise the Family Courts on the best course of action, provide confident written case analysis, and attend court as an advocate for the child to ensure their voice is heard.
Responsibilities
* Conduct assessments and directly engage with children to understand and represent their views and wishes to the court.
* Utilise robust risk assessment and mediation expertise to advocate for arrangements that prioritise the child\'s best interests.
Who We\'re Looking For
* Relevant Social Work qualification is essential
* Registered with Social Work England (Cafcass reimburses the annual cost)
* Demonstrable, relevant experience of working with children and families in a social work setting
* Experience in Family Court proceedings and understanding of Private and/or Public Law is advantageous
* Organised and resilient with the ability to work independently and manage workload effectively
Location
Our teams work flexibly and remotely, so location is not always critical. We have offices in Bristol, Swindon, Reading and Oxford, but proximity is not essential. We’re happy to discuss working arrangements during the interview process.
We provide resources, equipment and support so that we can be the voice of children and young people when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures. We also offer extensive wellbeing support and excellent benefits.
Salary and Timelines
The advertised salary reflects our 2024/25 pay award; we are awaiting confirmation for 2025/26. Below is an indicative timetable; dates are subject to change.
Next steps / Timelines
* Closing Date: 12 October 2025
* Telephone interviews: TBC
* Final Interview: TBC
Contact
Vacancy Contact: Kiera.manuel@cafcass.gov.uk
Pre-employment and DBS
Successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In line with the DBS code of practice and our policy, if a criminal offence is declared, an individual assessment will be conducted. For details, refer to the Cafcass DBS policy.
#J-18808-Ljbffr