At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through innovative social work practices.
- Company: Cafcass is dedicated to improving family justice for children across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, wellbeing support, and excellent corporate perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a relevant Social Work qualification and experience with children and families.
- Other info: Work from various locations with a focus on your preferred area.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
At Cafcass, we are always keen to hear from qualified, Social Work England registered Children’s Social Workers who share our ambitions for children - exceptional experiences, for every child, everywhere and every time.
Have you heard about Pathfinder? It's an innovative approach to improving family justice, supporting us to keep children at the heart of decisions. We’re also committed to creating an environment where social workers can achieve exceptional outcomes for children, giving you the chance of a more fulfilling and effective way of working, that enables you to do your best work for children and families.
Who we’re looking for
- A relevant Social Work qualification is essential.
- A valid Social Work England membership is required.
- You should have previous experience working with children and families in a social work capacity, ideally in child protection and assessment context.
- Familiarity with Family Court proceedings and an understanding of Private and/or Public Law would be advantageous.
- You should be organised and resilient, with the ability to work independently while effectively managing your workload.
- Strong report writing skills are essential.
Location
Our teams work flexibly, so your proximity to our offices in this area – currently Worcester and Birmingham, and hopefully a new office in Stafford shortly - doesn’t always have to be a critical consideration. This hopefully will allow you to work in a way that suits you best.
Depending on the reporting office base, you will cover an assigned geographical area (you will be able to express your preference on the application form):
- Birmingham
- Birmingham/Solihull
- Stoke/Stafford (temporarily Birmingham based)
- Wolverhampton/Walsall/Dudley/Sandwell - Worcester
- Worcestershire/Herefordshire
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 deliver extensive wellbeing support for colleagues, as well as excellent benefits, all of which we hope encourages you to work within our dedicated team.
Closing date: 29th June 2025
Telephone interviews: June/July 2025
Final Interview: June/July 2025 TBC
Take the next step in your career with Cafcass and apply today.
Qualified Children\'s Social Worker - Pathfinder employer: Cafcass
Contact Detail:
Cafcass Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Children\'s Social Worker - Pathfinder
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Pathfinder initiative and its goals. Understanding how this innovative approach to family justice works will help you articulate your passion for the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former Cafcass employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of Family Court proceedings and relevant laws. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare specific examples from your past experience that showcase your skills in child protection and assessment. Having these ready will help you stand out during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Qualified Children\'s Social Worker - Pathfinder
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Qualified Children's Social Worker at Cafcass. Familiarise yourself with their innovative Pathfinder approach and how it impacts family justice.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your previous experience working with children and families, particularly in child protection and assessment contexts. Mention any familiarity with Family Court proceedings and relevant laws.
Showcase Your Skills: Demonstrate your strong report writing skills and organisational abilities in your application. Provide specific examples of how you've managed workloads independently and effectively in past roles.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your application to reflect Cafcass's values and mission. Use keywords from the job description to align your qualifications with what they are looking for, making it clear why you are a great fit for their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cafcass
✨Show Your Passion for Child Welfare
Make sure to express your genuine passion for improving the lives of children and families. Share specific examples from your previous experience that highlight your commitment to child welfare and how you have made a positive impact in your role.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Family Court Proceedings
Familiarise yourself with the Family Court system and relevant laws, both Private and Public. Be prepared to discuss how your understanding of these processes can help you navigate challenges in your role as a Children's Social Worker.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
As the role requires strong organisational abilities, be ready to provide examples of how you manage your workload effectively. Discuss any tools or methods you use to stay organised and ensure that you meet deadlines while maintaining high-quality work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about past situations you've encountered in social work and how you handled them, focusing on the outcomes and what you learned from those experiences.