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- Tasks: Support children and families in legal proceedings, advocating for their best interests.
- Company: Cafcass is dedicated to representing children's voices in family court decisions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, extensive wellbeing support, and excellent corporate perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Must be registered with Social Work England and have 3 years' experience in social work.
- Other info: Roles are based in Manchester but offer remote working flexibility.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Have you heard about Pathfinder, the new, innovative process for children and families involved in Private Law proceedings? We are hiring Children’s Social Workers for our Private and Public Law, Work After First Hearing teams.
Working in the Private and Public Law, Work After First Hearing teams, Children’s Social Workers (or as we will professionally call you - Family Court Advisers) are involved in a combination of cases where either the families require the assistance to agree on the best arrangements for the welfare and safety of the child(ren) involved or the local authority has serious concerns and requests the involvement of Cafcass in the case.
Children’s Social Workers key responsibilities include:
- 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 will be essential as you advocate for arrangements that prioritise the best interest of the children.
Who we’re looking for
- You must be registered with Social Work England regulator.
- You’ll ideally have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with children and families in a social work capacity.
- 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 managing workload effectively.
Location
Whilst you may see these roles have contractual base in our Manchester office, our teams work flexibly and remotely, your proximity to the office doesn’t always have to be a critical consideration. This hopefully will allow you to work in a way that suits you best.
We provide the resources, equipment, and 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.
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.
TBC Final Interview: TBC
Vacancy Contact - 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!
Qualified Children\'s Social Worker employer: Cafcass
Contact Detail:
Cafcass Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Children\'s Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Pathfinder process and its implications for children and families. Understanding this innovative approach will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former Family Court Advisers to gain insights into their experiences. This can provide you with valuable information about the role and help you articulate your understanding of the position in discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in Family Court proceedings and how it relates to both Private and Public Law. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills in risk assessment and mediation.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your organisational skills and resilience by preparing scenarios where you've effectively managed a heavy workload. This will illustrate your ability to work independently, which is crucial for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Qualified Children\'s Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Children's Social Worker at Cafcass. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks such as conducting assessments and advocating for children's welfare.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in social work, particularly with children and families. Emphasise any experience you have in Family Court proceedings and your understanding of Private and Public Law.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your passion for child welfare and your ability to work independently. Mention specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your skills in risk assessment and mediation.
Prepare for Pre-Employment Checks: Be ready for various pre-engagement checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Familiarise yourself with Cafcass's DBS policy and be prepared to discuss any relevant issues during the application process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cafcass
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the responsibilities of a Children's Social Worker, especially in relation to Private and Public Law. Familiarise yourself with Cafcass's approach and the Pathfinder process, as this will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios you might face in the role. Think about your past experiences and how you handled similar situations, particularly those involving risk assessment and mediation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Highlight your experience working with children and families, especially in a social work capacity. Be ready to discuss your understanding of Family Court proceedings and any relevant cases you've worked on that demonstrate your skills and resilience.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. This could include inquiries about the team dynamics, support for professional development, or how Cafcass measures success in their interventions. It shows your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
