At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, conducting assessments and advocating for their best interests in court.
- Company: Join CAFCASS, a leading organisation dedicated to safeguarding children and young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £4,000 joining incentive, wellbeing days, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Flexible remote work options with monthly team meetings in Brighton.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Relevant Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
Due to high demand for our service, we have additional opportunities for Children's Social Workers to join our teams. You’ll work with a mixed caseload of Private and Public Law, supporting children and their families across Surrey and Sussex. We also have opportunities in our Work To First Hearing team, which is our 'front door' team that helps keep children safe at the very start of private law proceedings.
We offer a Professional Joining Incentive of £4,000 for those who join our service area. More information regarding this can be found in the vacancy documents.
Children's Social Workers in CAFCASS are referred to as Family Court Advisers and are involved in a combination of cases where either the families require the 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 (Family Court Advisors) 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 will be essential as you 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 Public Law would be an advantage.
- Organised and resilient with ability to work independently and manage workload effectively.
- Ability to travel across the wider area and ideally have access to own transport.
Location
Whilst you may see these roles have contractual base in our Brighton office, our teams work flexibly and remotely. This hopefully will allow you to work in a way that suits you best. Your proximity to the Brighton office doesn't always have to be a critical consideration. Whilst we endeavour to allocate to your preferred area, we do expect our staff to visit children and attend court in person. To support connections, we ask that our staff attend team meetings in person monthly.
We provide the resources, equipment, and support needed, 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 are celebrating 25 years of CAFCASS and are proud of our extensive wellbeing support for colleagues (wellbeing days are offered in addition to annual leave), as well as excellent benefits, all of which we hope encourages you to work within our teams dedicated to safeguarding and protecting children.
Successful applicants will undergo various pre-engagement checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). In line with the DBS code of practice and our policy, if a criminal offense is declared, an individual assessment will be conducted. For further details regarding this assessment, please refer to the Cafcass DBS policy.
Qualified Children's Social Worker employer: Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
Cafcass is an exceptional employer that prioritises the welfare of children and families while fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer numerous growth opportunities for social workers, alongside a flexible hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance in the vibrant North East region. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families, while enjoying a culture that values your contributions and professional growth.
Contact Details:
Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Children's Social Worker
✨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 Qualified Children's Social Worker
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.
