At a Glance
- Tasks: Advocate for children's voices in family court, ensuring their needs are prioritised.
- Company: Cafcass, the largest employer of Children’s Social Workers in England.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a strong commitment to wellbeing.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values diversity and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience with children and families required.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 46000 £ per year.
Our Social Workers, professionally known as Family Court Advisers (FCAs), play a vital role. You might work within a Private Law team, where there is disagreement on the best arrangements for the welfare of the child(ren) involved, a Public Law team, where local authorities have raised serious welfare concerns, 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 not just understood but 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 is a responsibility we take seriously. We’re committed to creating a safe, healthy and supportive environment for our colleagues to practice.
What you’ll be doing
- Complete high-quality assessments, engaging directly with children to understand their experiences, wishes and feelings and ensure these are clearly and powerfully 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.
Who we’re looking for
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.
- Have the Right to Work in the UK (we don’t sponsor people to work in the UK).
- Registered with Social Work England (or likely to be able to register quickly if practising outside England).
- Recent, relevant experience of working directly with children and families.
- It’s desirable you’ll have 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 effectively managing a varied caseload.
You can view the full job description in the vacancy documents.
Where you’ll work
Our Social Workers work flexibly across multiple settings including the office in Manchester, home, courts, schools and other appropriate, safe locations, and we ensure you have the technology to do this. Shared learning is very important to us, and we bring our teams together regularly, both remotely and in-person, for team meetings and group supervision, which creates space to connect with peers and managers, reflect on practice, and feel supported. You’ll also have regular 1:1 time with your manager, especially during your induction, and again there will be a balance between doing this remotely and in-person, so you have opportunities to form in-person connections.
If shortlisted, the hiring manager will be able to give you more insight into what a typical week or month might look like should you join us.
How we support you
As the largest employer of Children’s Social Workers in England, we’re uniquely placed to support your professional growth and wellbeing. At Cafcass, you’ll benefit from:
- High-quality equipment and technology to help you 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 constantly strives to improve outcomes for children, families and colleagues alike.
You can find more about how we support our practitioners on our website, and we’ll share more during the selection process.
To Apply
Please click the link: Qualified Children's Social Worker
Next steps
Below we have set out an indicative timetable we are hoping to work towards, although dates are subject to change. If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact Narinder.Kaur2@cafcass.gov.uk.
Qualified Children's Social Worker in Manchester employer: Cafcass, Manchester
Cafcass is an exceptional employer for Qualified 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 in Manchester, access to high-quality resources, and a strong commitment to reflective supervision, Cafcass empowers its employees to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values diversity and strives for excellence in social work practice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Children's Social Worker in Manchester
✨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, Manchester.
✨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, Manchester!
✨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, Manchester, 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, Manchester 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 in Manchester
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, Manchester:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cafcass, Manchester! 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, Manchester
✨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.
