At a Glance
- Tasks: Advocate for children's best interests in family court and complete high-quality assessments.
- Company: Cafcass, dedicated to positive outcomes for children in family court.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, flexible working, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment that values diversity and encourages learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working flexibly across various settings.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience with children and families required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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 family court proceedings. Our Social Workers, professionally known as Family Court Advisers (FCAs), play a vital role in advocating for children’s best interests across private and public law teams. The role requires speaking on behalf of children to ensure their thoughts, wishes and feelings are heard and represented in court decisions.
Responsibilities
- Complete high‑quality assessments, engaging directly with children to understand their experiences, wishes and feelings, and present these clearly to the family court.
- Apply expertise in risk assessment, analysis and mediation to advocate 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.
Qualifications
- A Social Work qualification is essential.
- Right to work in the UK (no sponsorship).
- Registered with Social Work England or likely to register quickly if practicing outside England.
- Recent, relevant experience working directly with children and families.
- Desirable: experience in family court proceedings or knowledge of private/public law.
- For applicants with limited post‑qualifying experience, 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
Our Social Workers work flexibly across multiple settings, including the office in Exeter or Plymouth, home, courts, schools and other safe locations, supported by the technology needed to do this efficiently.
Benefits
- High‑quality equipment and technology to support efficient and effective work.
- Access to specialist resources, guidance and training to strengthen practice.
- A strong commitment to wellbeing, reflective supervision and healthy work–life balance.
- Inclusive environment valuing diversity and encouraging learning.
- Generous holidays, pension, flexible working options, and professional fee reimbursement.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive recruitment process, accommodating reasonable adjustments where needed.
Child & Family Social Worker – Flexible Court Advocacy in Plymouth 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 of both employees and the children they serve. With flexible working arrangements across various settings, including Exeter and Plymouth, our team benefits from high-quality resources, ongoing professional development, and a strong commitment to work-life balance, making it a rewarding place to grow your career while making a meaningful impact in the lives of families.
Contact Details:
Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child & Family Social Worker – Flexible Court Advocacy in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Family Court Advisers and ask them about their experiences. This can give you insider knowledge and might even lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to child advocacy and family law. We recommend role-playing with a friend to build your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for child welfare during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in children's lives, as this will resonate with the interviewers at Cafcass.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows that you’re serious about joining our team at Cafcass.
We think you need these skills to ace Child & Family Social Worker – Flexible Court Advocacy in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for advocating for children shine through. We want to see your commitment to making a positive impact in family court proceedings, so share any relevant experiences that highlight this.
Be Clear and Concise:Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and keep your sentences focused on your qualifications and experiences that relate directly to the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to showcase your experience working with children and families, especially in family court settings. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills in risk assessment and mediation, so make them stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and you can easily track your application status there too!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Child & Family Social Worker. Brush up on your knowledge of family court proceedings, risk assessment, and mediation techniques. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work with children and families. Think about situations where you advocated for a child’s best interests or resolved complex issues. This will help demonstrate your practical skills and how they align with what Cafcass is looking for.
✨Engage with Empathy
During the interview, remember that empathy is key in social work. Be ready to discuss how you would approach understanding a child's feelings and wishes. Show that you can connect with children and families on a personal level, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask your interviewers. This could be about their approach to supporting social workers or how they ensure a healthy work-life balance. Asking questions shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
