Job Description
We have interim opportunities in the Pathfinder team, covering the Birmingham and/or Worcester areas. – are you interested? Or can you recommend someone for £250 if placed?
We are an approved supplier to Cafcass, achieving this status through a competitive process and retaining it by delivering quality, timely and compliant services. Being one of Cafcass’ preferred partners ensures we will always be given priority access to any Social Work vacancies they ask external agencies to support them with.
The role will involve the following:
* Some Cafcass teams are participating in a pilot scheme, known as ‘Pathfinder’, which aims to improve experiences for children and families in private family law proceedings and test if and how we can reduce court delay in proceedings.
* In particular, Cafcass and other agencies involved in private law proceedings are aiming to give more children the chance to tell us what they would like to happen as a result of the court proceedings, by hearing from or meeting with them earlier. We are also aiming to improve the child and family’s overall experience of proceedings – by working with partners to reduce the length of proceedings. Another key aim of the pilot is to improve the experience of children where they or their families are the victims of domestic abuse or harm.
* Within the pilot, after the court has received an application concerning the child, it will send the application to Cafcass so that we may review the available information. We undertake checks with the police and with the local authorities, to see if there is anything that may cause concern about the welfare or safety of the child and family.
* Cafcass sends a letter to tell a little more about their involvement. Family will have a call with a Family Court Adviser (FCA) who will want to understand the family’s circumstances and how the situation is affecting the child.
* The FCA will review the information they have about the family and will decide what the next steps will be. It may be that an FCA wants to meet in person, or it may be that the FCA thinks that the family may benefit from local services outside of family court proceedings. There are a variety of next steps the FCA may recommend.
* The FCA will share this information with the court in a Child Impact Report so that the court can make a decision that is safe and, in the child’s best interests. They will keep the child and family informed and will provide information about what to expect and the ways that your views and those of your child will be heard and their views considered when decisions are being made about their future.
Requirements of the role:
* Social Work qualified
* Social Work England registered
* Minimum 3 years’ post-qualifying experience in social work with children and families at risk
* A commitment to seeing and hearing the child or children concerned and undertaking direct work to engage with children and families and ensure they are at the centre of your report writing
* Ability to write focused and analytical reports
* Excellent time management – court deadlines are non-negotiable
* Court experience, confidence in the court arena
Please contact Lindsey Morgan ASAP to discuss in more detail. We are offering £250 joining bonus for new starters with Reed.
Alternatively, we are offering £250 if you refer a friend or colleague and they are placed successfully into this or any other QSW role.