At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in family court cases, advocating for their best interests and conducting assessments.
- Company: Join Cafcass, a leading service representing over 140,000 children in family court decisions annually.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible remote work, extensive wellbeing support, and a £4,000 joining incentive for specific teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a diverse and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a relevant Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
- Other info: Work with cutting-edge technology and access over 27,000 resources to enhance your skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are hiring Children’s Social Workers for our Private and/or Public Law teams. Working in these teams, Children’s Social Workers (or as we will professionally call you - Family Court Advisers) are involved in a combination of cases where either the families require assistance to agree on the best arrangements for the welfare and safety of the child(ren) involved or the local authority has serious concerns and requests the involvement of Cafcass in the case.
Children’s Social Workers key responsibilities include:
- Conducting assessments and directly engaging with children to understand and represent their views and wishes to the court.
- Using expertise in robust risk assessment and mediation to advocate for arrangements that prioritise the best interest of the children.
Who we’re looking for:
- Relevant Social Work qualification is essential.
- You must be registered with Social Work England regulator.
- You’ll ideally have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with children and families in a social work capacity.
- Experience in Family Court proceedings and understanding of Private and/or Public Law would be an advantage.
- Organised and resilient with the ability to work independently and manage workload effectively.
Location:
Our teams work flexibly and remotely; your proximity to the Bristol or Swindon office doesn’t always have to be a critical consideration. This hopefully will allow you to work in a way that suits you best. We provide the resources, equipment, and support, so that individually and collectively, we can be the voice of children and young people when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures.
We provide extensive wellbeing support for colleagues, as well as excellent benefits, all of which we hope encourages you to work within our dedicated team.
Next steps / Timelines:
Below we have given you an indication of a timetable we are hoping to work towards, although dates are subject to change.
- Closing date: 31 March 2025.
- Telephone interviews: As and when suitable candidates are shortlisted.
- Final Interview: March/April 2025 TBC.
In anticipation of your successful application, we encourage you to review our offer and pre-employment checks process. You are welcome to raise any questions or concerns about these checks during your application, with the assurance that this information will remain confidential. We look forward to receiving your application!
Be Their Voice:
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 over 140,000 children every year when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures, ensuring their needs, wishes and feelings are heard.
If our purpose resonates with you, and you share our ambitions for children - exceptional experiences, for every child, everywhere and every time - then if you join us, you will work alongside like-minded people in a diverse, inclusive and supportive organisation. You will be trusted to work flexibly and independently using outstanding technology with access to substantial resources. You will also have opportunities to develop, whatever team you join, wherever you are in the country and at whatever stage you are at in your career.
Whether you join us in one of our social work roles that work directly with children and families or our corporate and business services teams who provide technology, support and expertise, you will have the chance to make a difference for children and families.
Children\'s Social Worker employer: Cafcass
Contact Detail:
Cafcass Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Cafcass and its mission. Understanding our role in representing children in family court cases will help you articulate your passion for the position during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former Children’s Social Workers. They can provide insights into the role and share their experiences, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of Private and Public Law. Being well-versed in these areas will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for scenario-based questions that may arise during interviews. Think about how you would handle specific situations involving children and families, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly with children and families. Emphasise any specific qualifications and your registration with Social Work England.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for advocating for children's welfare. Mention your understanding of Private and Public Law, and how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of a Family Court Adviser.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your application, detail your experience in Family Court proceedings and any specific cases where you successfully advocated for children's best interests. Use examples to illustrate your skills in risk assessment and mediation.
Prepare for Interviews: Anticipate questions related to your approach in handling sensitive cases and your strategies for engaging with children. Be ready to discuss how you manage your workload effectively while working independently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cafcass
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the responsibilities of a Children's Social Worker, particularly in relation to Family Court Advisers. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of Private and Public Law, as well as the importance of advocating for children's best interests.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your relevant experience working with children and families. Highlight specific cases or situations where you successfully conducted assessments or mediated disputes, demonstrating your ability to manage complex situations effectively.
✨Demonstrate Resilience and Organisation
As the role requires resilience and the ability to work independently, be ready to provide examples of how you've managed your workload in challenging circumstances. Discuss strategies you use to stay organised and maintain your wellbeing while handling demanding cases.
✨Engage with Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with Cafcass's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss why their purpose resonates with you and how you can contribute to making a difference for children and families. Showing genuine passion for their work will set you apart.