At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage directly with children and families in family court proceedings.
- Company: Cafcass, a leader in transforming family justice for children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, wellbeing support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through innovative social work practices.
- Qualifications: Recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 45749 - 49886 £ per year.
Discover upcoming Cafcass recruitment events for social workers & other staff. Meet our teams, learn about family court social work careers and how to apply. Engaging directly with children and families in Cheshire, Merseyside and The Wirral with a contractual base in Liverpool.
Salary: £45,749 - £49,886 + £4,000 joining incentive (see wider benefits below)
A once-in-a-generation opportunity to practice social work differently. Family justice is changing, and Cafcass is at the heart of that change. With the national rollout of Child Focused Courts, we are leading a transformation in how children's voices are heard and how decisions are made in family proceedings. Child Focused Courts place children's safety, wellbeing and lived experience at the centre of decision‑making from the very start of proceedings. This problem‑solving, less adversarial approach allows decisions to be informed earlier by a clear understanding of children’s experiences, including through the preparation of Child Impact Reports.
The role at a glance:
- Undertake direct work with children and families involved in family court proceedings
- Ensure children's voices are heard clearly and influence judicial decision‑making
- Collaborate closely with judges, legal professionals and partner agencies
- Practise social work that is purposeful, evidence‑informed and values‑led
Many practitioners involved in early Child Focused Court pilots describe this way of working as professionally rewarding, aligned with core social work values, and genuinely impactful for children.
What you will do:
- Conduct high‑quality assessments that focus on Children’s lived experience, safety and wellbeing
- Engage directly with children, ensuring their views, wishes and feelings are understood and represented
- Prepare clear, analytical reports for the family court, including contributions to Child Impact Reports.
- Apply robust risk assessment and mediation skills to support child‑focused decision‑making
- Work effectively across private law proceedings, with a strong understanding of public law context
- Manage your caseload independently while contributing to a supportive, learning‑focused team environment
Who we are looking for:
We welcome applications from qualified and experienced Children’s Social Workers who share our commitment to child‑centred practice. You will need:
- A recognised Social Work qualification
- To be registered with Social Work England
- An understanding of family court processes and private and/or public law
- Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills
- Resilience, professional curiosity and confidence in working independently
We recognise that social workers bring experience from a wide range of settings, including local authority, court, voluntary, safeguarding and therapeutic roles.
Why work for Cafcass?
- Opportunities to contribute to nationally significant reform in family justice
- Strong professional supervision and reflective practice
- Access to learning from ongoing Child Focused Court pilots and national rollout activity
- A competitive salary and Local Government pension
- Generous annual leave and wellbeing support
- The resources, equipment and flexibility needed to work effectively, connect with children and your colleagues
Inclusion and belonging:
Cafcass is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the children and families we serve. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and value professional diversity, lived experience and different career pathways. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need support at any stage, we encourage you to tell us.
About Cafcass:
We are Cafcass – the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service – and we represent children in family court cases in England. Independently advising the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests, we speak up for over 130,000 children every year when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures, ensuring their needs, wishes and feelings are heard.
Wellbeing:
The wellbeing of our colleagues is something we are truly passionate about, as demonstrated by everyone having four dedicated, additional days per year when they are encouraged to spend time focusing on their health and wellbeing. Colleagues can also have a health and wellbeing cash plan, for which Cafcass pays the basic premium, allowing them to claim back some costs of routine health expenses, including dental check‑ups, eye tests, physiotherapy sessions and more.
Diversity:
We represent children and families from diverse backgrounds and having a diverse workforce helps us to fulfil this responsibility authentically. We are proud to be a disability confident leader, inviting you to join our team, and we are committed to actively attract and recruit individuals with disabilities including
Qualified Children's Social Worker - Child Focused Courts in Liverpool employer: Cafcass
As a leading organisation in the Hampshire & Dorset area, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring every team member feels supported and empowered. Our commitment to professional growth is reflected in our extensive wellbeing support and excellent benefits package, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high-quality service delivery for children and families. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative and inspiring work environment.
