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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in family court decisions and advocate for their needs.
- Company: Diverse and inclusive organisation dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Extensive wellbeing support, hybrid working, and excellent benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working flexibly.
- Qualifications: Registered social worker with experience in child and family services.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values diversity and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Vacancy
We are hiring Children’s Social Workers for our Public Law and Work to First Hearing teams.
Our Public Law teams are involved with cases where the local authority has serious concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, and the court requests for Cafcass to become involved in the case. The Cafcass Social Worker, (or as we will professionally call you – Family Court Advisers) is typically involved with the child across an extended period carrying out relevant assessments to understand their needs, wants and feelings, and effectively communicate this to the court through a combination of written reports and giving evidence.
In the Work To First Hearing team, you’ll use your social work skills and experience to understand what the child needs, wants and feels. You’ll then advise the Family Courts on the best course of action for the child by providing confident, powerful and succinct written case analysis and make recommendations to the court. You’ll also attend court and be an advocate for the child, ensuring their voice is not lost.
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
Qualifications and Experience
- Relevant Social Work qualification is essential.
- You must be registered with Social Work England (Cafcass reimburses costs of this annual cost).
- You’ll have demonstrable, relevant experience of working with children and families in a social work setting.
- Experience in Family Court proceedings and understanding of Private and/or Public Law would be an advantage.
- Organised and resilient with ability to work independently and manage workload effectively.
Location
Our teams work flexibly and remotely, so your location is not always a critical factor. While the office location is in Plymouth with work covering Cornwall, proximity to this location is not essential. We’re happy to discuss your preferred working arrangements in more detail during the interview process.
This hopefully will allow you to work in a way that suits you best.
We believe that shared learning is key to delivering the best outcomes. We meet regularly either in person or virtually for team meetings and group supervision — creating space to connect with peers and managers, reflect on practice, and feel supported. You’ll be a valued member of a team that champions collaboration, continuous improvement, and making a real difference in children’s lives.
We provide an outstanding range of practice aids, resources, equipment, and dedicated 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.
Salary
The advertised salary reflects our 2024/25 pay award. We are awaiting confirmation of our 2025/26 when salaries will be updated to reflect this.
Next Steps and 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: 23rd November 2025
Telephone interviews: 26th & 28th November 2025
Final Interview: 8th & 10th December 2025
Vacancy Contact: Kiera.manuel@cafcass.gov.uk
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.
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 offence is declared, an individual assessment will be conducted. For further details regarding this assessment, please refer to the Cafcass DBS policy.
We look forward to receiving your application!
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Qualified Children\'s Social Worker employer: Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
Contact Detail:
Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Children\'s Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might have insights into the Family Court Adviser role. A friendly chat can lead to valuable advice or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to child advocacy and social work scenarios. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for working with children and families during interviews. Share specific examples from your experience that highlight your skills and commitment to making a difference in their lives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you can easily update it if you think of something else to add before the closing date.
We think you need these skills to ace Qualified Children\'s Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with clues about what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the role and how your experience fits in.
Showcase Your Experience: When you’re detailing your experience, be specific! Highlight your work with children and families, and don’t forget to mention any relevant skills that align with what we need for the Family Court Adviser role.
Be Clear and Concise: We love a well-structured application! Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use bullet points if it helps, and make sure your case analysis and recommendations are easy to follow.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly, and you can always come back to update it before the closing date.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Family Court Adviser. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the role, especially how to advocate for children in court. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your passion for the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work with children and families that highlight your skills and resilience. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Emphasise Your Values
Since the organisation values diversity and inclusion, be ready to discuss how your own experiences and values align with theirs. Share any relevant experiences that showcase your commitment to promoting the uniqueness of children and families from all backgrounds.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, support systems, and the hybrid working model. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation is the right fit for you.