Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families through expert social work in family court settings.
- Company: Cafcass, a leading organisation dedicated to safeguarding children across England.
- Benefits: Flexible self-employment, professional development, and the chance to shape your own workload.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Registered social workers with significant experience and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Join a growing community of over 100 Associates with ongoing support and training.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Cafcass is seeking talented, passionate, and experienced social workers to join us as Associate Family Court Advisers (FCAs) and be a vital part of our national practice community. As self‑employed practitioners contracted by Cafcass, Associate FCAs play a key role in supporting our work with vulnerable children and young people, providing independent social work expertise to help families through some of the most challenging moments in their lives.
As an Associate FCA, you will be commissioned by local Cafcass teams across England to undertake public and private law family court work. You will contribute expert case analysis, provide recommendations in the best interests of children, and help to manage caseload pressures while complementing the work of our employed practitioners. Associates typically carry a mixed caseload, with thresholds set at 8 to 18 cases, ensuring workloads remain manageable and proportionate. There is also the opportunity to take on shorter‑term work such as writing Work to First Hearing safeguarding letters.
Becoming a Cafcass Associate is ideal for practitioners used to working independently and who want to maintain high‑level professional social work practice and shape their own workload. It also allows practitioners to combine working with Cafcass with other roles or commitments (e.g. ISW, IRO, lecturing, training, or other business interests) and obtain the balance they need to suit their personal circumstances, whilst undertaking challenging, rewarding practice that makes a real difference to vulnerable children across England.
Cafcass currently contracts over 100 Associate FCAs, and with continued demand, this number is expected to grow. Our dedicated Associates team provides onboarding and contract support to ensure effective collaboration with our commissioning teams. We also provide a professional induction to all new Associates including access to specialist training and resources throughout your time as an Associate.
We are looking for Social Work England registered social workers with:
- Significant post‑qualifying experience
- Expertise in safeguarding, child engagement, and multi‑agency working
- Strong analytical, assessment, and recording skills
- Confidence working directly with families, professionals, and the family courts
As this is a self‑employed role, you will need to manage your own tax and contribution arrangements. Cafcass assesses that Associate FCA work is not within IR35.
We look forward to receiving your application, which we recommend includes a current CV to outline your relevant career history. We will review applications as we receive them and be in touch as soon as we can to advise if and how we intend to progress your interest in becoming an Associate FCA.
Associate Family Court Adviser in London employer: Cafcass
Contact Detail:
Cafcass Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Family Court Adviser in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow social workers and professionals in the field. Attend events or webinars related to family court work, and don’t be shy about sharing your expertise. You never know who might have a lead on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience in safeguarding, child engagement, and multi-agency working. This will not only impress potential clients but also give you confidence when discussing your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated with the latest practices and policies in family court work. Follow relevant blogs, join forums, and participate in training sessions. This will keep you sharp and ready to tackle any case that comes your way.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals like you to join our community of Associate FCAs. Don’t miss out on the chance to make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Family Court Adviser in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your significant post-qualifying experience in social work. We want to see how your expertise in safeguarding and child engagement can make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.
Tailor Your CV: Your CV should reflect your relevant career history and skills. We recommend customising it to align with the Associate FCA role, showcasing your analytical and assessment skills that are crucial for this position.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role as soon as possible.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cafcass
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding, child engagement, and multi-agency working. Be ready to discuss your post-qualifying experience and how it relates to the role of an Associate FCA. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in real-life situations.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your strong analytical and assessment skills during the interview. Think of specific examples where you've had to analyse complex cases or make tough recommendations in the best interests of children. This will highlight your ability to contribute expert case analysis effectively.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Be ready to engage in hypothetical scenarios or case studies during the interview. Practise articulating how you would handle various situations involving families and professionals. This will help the interviewers see your thought process and how you approach challenges in family court work.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the role and the support provided by Cafcass. Inquire about the onboarding process, training opportunities, and how they ensure collaboration between Associates and employed practitioners. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.