At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in court to ensure the best arrangements for children's welfare.
- Company: Join Cafcass, a dedicated team making a real difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: £6,000 joining incentive, flexible working, and extensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and team support.
- Why this job: Be the voice for children and advocate for their best interests in family courts.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Social Worker with experience in child and family work.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are excited to offer a Professional Joining Incentive of £6,000 for those who join one of our teams where these payments are available. You can find out further information about this payment prior to applying for the role - check vacancy documents.
We are hiring Qualified Children’s Social Workers for our Private Law teams in London. If you would like to know more about what it is like to work for Cafcass in this team visit our website: Find out more about Family Court Adviser roles in London. Join us in making a difference for children and families.
As a Family Court Adviser (our professional title for Children’s Social Workers), you’ll work within our teams that are involved in cases where families require assistance to agree on the best arrangements for the welfare and safety of the child(ren) involved. When applying, you’ll have the opportunity to indicate your preference — so you can specify a preference of the role that best fits your skills and interests.
Working in the Private Law team, Family Court Advisers are involved where families require the assistance of the court to agree on the best child arrangements for the child(ren) involved. Family Court Advisers are typically involved with children for a period of assessment for the court, undertaking direct work with children, gaining their views and wishes and representing these to the court via written reports and giving evidence and advocating for arrangements that are in their best interests. This will draw on robust risk assessment and mediation skills.
What we’re looking for:
Being a Family Court Adviser is very rewarding – but it’s not for everyone. You must be a Social Work England registered social worker who’s organised, resilient and able to work independently. Confident in your abilities, you’ll have demonstrable experience of working with children and families over a sustained period as a Social Worker, potentially supplemented from relevant experience from earlier in your career also.
Location: While these roles are contractually based in either our Gray’s Inn Road office or Croydon office, we support flexible working which means your proximity to the office doesn’t need to be a deciding factor, however, there will be a requirement to travel frequently for this role to meet with children and families and attend court. We also meet regularly for team meetings and group supervision to help you feel supported in your role, connect with peers and managers and feel supported and a valued member of our team.
We provide an outstanding range of practice aids, resources, equipment, and dedicated support - empowering us, both individually and collectively to be the voice of children and young people when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures. We offer extensive wellbeing support and an excellent benefits package, designed to empower our colleagues and reflect the value we place on being part of a committed and high-performing team.
Next steps / 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: 15th July 2026
- Telephone interviews: As and when candidates apply
- Final Interview: To be confirmed
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Children's Social Worker (Private Law) in London
✨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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 (Private Law) in London
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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cafcass! 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
✨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.
