Senior Learning Review Author (National Improvement and Support Service)
Location: Flexible base with regular travel to London and other Cafcass locations across England as required
Salary: £68,844
Contract: Permanent - Part-time or Full-time
Reporting to: Deputy Director, National Improvement Service and Support Service
At Cafcass, our work supports children and families at some of the most important and difficult moments in their lives, and the experience and support we provide for colleagues is central to how well we deliver that purpose.
We are looking for a Senior Learning Review Author to join our National Improvement Service team. This is a new senior manager role for someone who can build and maintain positive relationships, provide leadership, undertake national learning reviews to better safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
About the role
As our Senior Learning Review Author, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening safeguarding practice and support national learning across Cafcass. Reporting to the Assistant Director, you will lead reviews of serious child safeguarding incidents and matters of national significance, creating a learning not blaming culture to identify opportunities for organisational learning, service improvement and practice development.
You will work closely with senior leaders, practitioners and external safeguarding partners to understand, what has happened for children and families supporting how this is translated into meaningful improvements for children and families. This is a highly influential role requiring strong analytical skills, professional credibility and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive safeguarding issues with confidence and integrity.
What you will be doing
- Lead and author national reviews into serious safeguarding incidents, complex child protection matters and issues of national importance.
- Undertake both individual and thematic learning reviews to identify opportunities to strengthen practice and improve outcomes for children and families.
- Present review findings and recommendations to senior leaders, including the Corporate Management Team and Operational Management Team.
- Translate learning from reviews into clear, evidence-based recommendations that drive practice improvement across Cafcass.
- Contribute to national operational and practice improvement activities and represent Cafcass at senior-level partnership meetings and events.
About you
We are looking for an experienced and credible social work leader with a strong understanding of safeguarding, learning reviews and the family justice system and registered with Social Work England.
You will bring:
- Significant post-qualification experience working with children and families in a social work setting, including leadership and management responsibilities.
- Experience of authoring or contributing to safeguarding reviews and learning reviews for both internal and external audiences.
- Experience of achieving positive outcomes for children and families within the family justice system.
- Strong experience of writing high-quality analytical and strategic reports for senior leaders and external stakeholders.
- Experience of working with safeguarding partnerships and multi-agency review processes.
- Strong understanding of child safeguarding, significant incident reviews and organisational learning.
- Ability to analyse complex information and produce comprehensive, high-quality reports and recommendations.
- Excellent understanding of quality assurance, performance frameworks and evidence-based practice improvement.
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:15thNovember 2026
Initial Interview:TBC
Final/Assessment Interview: 11th December 2026
Safeguarding and inclusion
Cafcass is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.
We are also committed to creating an inclusive and diverse working environment where colleagues feel valued, respected and able to do their best work. We welcome applications from people with a range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Senior Learning Review Author employer: Community Care Live
Community Care Live is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff. With a supportive work culture, dedicated consultants, and a commitment to empowering individuals in the community, employees can expect meaningful work and opportunities for development in the heart of Devon. The company also offers competitive pay and additional benefits, making it an attractive choice for those looking to make a difference in the lives of others.
