What you will do
- 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
- 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
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.
About Cafcass
We were established by section 11 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (the Act) and operate in accordance with the law set by Parliament and under the rules and directions of the family courts. Our principal functions, as set out in section 12 of the Act, relate to family proceedings where the welfare of children who are subject to family proceedings is or may be in question, are to:
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of children;
- Give advice to the family courts;
- Make provision for children to be represented; and
- Provide information, advice and support to children and their families.
What we do - the role of Cafcass
We were established by section 11 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (the Act) and operate in accordance with the law set by Parliament and under the rules and directions of the family courts. Our principal functions, as set out in section 12 of the Act, relate to family proceedings where the welfare of children who are subject to family proceedings is or may be in question, are to:
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of children;
- Give advice to the family courts;
- Make provision for children to be represented; and
- Provide information, advice and support to children and their families.
Qualifications
- 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. If your background aligns with our purpose, we encourage you to apply.
We represent the interests of children and young people in the family court. We independently advise the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests. We focus on their needs, wishes and feelings, making sure that children's voices are heard and are at the heart of the family court's thinking and decision making. For every child, whose current and future living arrangements are decided by the courts, we seek to provide an exceptional experience, everywhere, and every time. In this section of our website, you can find out more about us and the work we do.
What we offer
- 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.
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Qualified Children's Social Worker - Child focused courts in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Cafcass
Cafcass in Leicestershire is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the voices of children and families. With a strong emphasis on professional development, employees are offered numerous growth opportunities within a framework that values child safety and wellbeing. Working here means being part of a meaningful mission, where your contributions directly impact the lives of children in family court proceedings.
