At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in family court, ensuring their voices are heard and represented.
- Company: Cafcass, the largest employer of Children’s Social Workers in England.
- Benefits: High-quality equipment, training, wellbeing support, and a healthy work-life balance.
- Other info: Flexible working across various settings with strong support for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and advocate for their best interests.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience with children and families required.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 46000 £ per year.
At Cafcass, we’re recruiting Children’s Social Workers who share our passion, commitment and ambition to facilitate positive outcomes for children involved in private and public law family court proceedings. Our Social Workers — professionally known as Family Court Advisers (FCAs) — play a vital role. You might work within the Private Law team, the Public Law team, or a converged team covering both law types. Whatever the team you join, the underlying role is the same – to speak on behalf of children and young people to ensure their thoughts, wishes and feelings are understood and heard. As the only organisation that does this kind of work, FCAs can make recommendations leading to lasting change for children and families, which is why this responsibility we take seriously. We’re committed to creating a safe, healthy and supportive environment for our colleagues.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Complete high‑quality assessments, engaging directly with children to understand their experiences, wishes and feelings and ensuring these are clearly represented to the family court.
- Apply your expertise in risk assessment, analysis and mediation, advocating for solutions that place the child’s safety, wellbeing and long‑term interests at the centre of decision‑making.
- Work with adults, local authorities and a wide range of professionals to help resolve complex issues and influence better outcomes for children.
People We’re Looking For
- Practitioners who are confident, curious, compassionate and committed to excellent social work practice.
To Join Us, You’ll Need
- A Social Work qualification is essential.
- Right to work in the UK (no sponsorship).
- Registered with Social Work England (or able to register quickly if practising outside England).
- Recent, relevant experience working directly with children and families.
- Desirable experience in family court proceedings, or knowledge of Private and/or Public Law.
- For applicants with limited post‑qualifying experience, relevant pre‑qualifying experience supporting children and families may be beneficial.
- Strong organisational skills, professional resilience and the ability to work independently while managing a varied caseload.
Where You’ll Work
Social Workers work flexibly across multiple settings – including the office in Reading or Oxford, home, courts, schools and other appropriate, safe locations. Shared learning, team meetings and group supervision are held remotely and in‑person to create space to connect with peers and managers. You’ll have regular 1:1 time with your manager, especially during induction, with a balance of remote and in‑person contact.
How We Support You
As the largest employer of Children’s Social Workers in England, we support your professional growth and wellbeing. At Cafcass, You’ll Benefit From:
- High‑quality equipment and technology to work efficiently and engage with families effectively.
- Access to specialist resources, guidance and training to strengthen your practice.
- A strong commitment to wellbeing, reflective supervision and healthy work‑life balance.
- An inclusive environment that values diversity, encourages learning and strives to improve outcomes for children, families and colleagues.
To learn more about how we support our practitioners, visit our website. Information will also be shared during the selection process.
Next Steps
We have an indicative timetable with dates subject to change.
Closing Date 22nd June 2026
Telephone Interviews TBC
Final Interview TBC
If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact Kiera.manuel@cafcass.gov.uk. Before applying, we encourage you to read about our offer and pre‑employment checks. Any questions or concerns can be confidentially raised through your application. Successful applicants will complete pre‑engagement checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If any criminal offences are disclosed, we will conduct an individual assessment in line with the DBS code of practice and the Cafcass DBS policy. We look forward to receiving your application!
Children's Social Worker in Oxford employer: Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
Cafcass is an exceptional employer for Children's Social Workers, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its staff. With flexible working arrangements across various settings, including Reading and Oxford, employees benefit from high-quality resources, ongoing training, and a strong commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As the largest employer of Children's Social Workers in England, Cafcass provides unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
Contact Details:
Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Social Worker in Oxford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service).
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service), will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Children's Social Worker in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service):Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
