Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
Qualified Children's Social Worker
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Qualified Children's Social Worker
Family Court Adviser (Children’s Social Worker) at Cafcass
We are offering a £6,000 ‘Professional Joining Incentive’ for successful applicants joining our teams in this area. For details about the scheme view the vacancy document.
Why This Role Matters
At Cafcass, we’re seeking Children’s Social Workers, also known as Family Court Advisers (FCAs), who share our dedication to shaping positive outcomes for children involved in private and public law family court proceedings. Our role is critical:
- We support children and young people by advocating for their wishes, feelings, and safety, ensuring their voices are heard in court.
- Working across Private Law (disagreements over child arrangements) and Public Law (cases raised by local authorities), we analyse risk, support mediation, and recommend lasting changes that parental decisions could overlook.
Unmatched in this field, we take great pride in our commitment to safe, supportive practice—continuously shaping a workplace where colleagues thrive.
What You’ll Do
As an FCA, your core responsibilities include:
- Conducting high-quality assessments, engaging directly with children to understand their experiences, wishes, and feelings, then representing them effectively in court.
- Using your expertise in risk assessment, mediation, and advocacy to influence decisions prioritising the child’s safety, well-being, and long-term needs.
- Collaborating with adults, local authorities, and diverse professionals to resolve complex issues and deliver positively shaped outcomes.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Who We’re Looking for
We’re seeking confident, insightful professionals who thrive in compassionate, ambitious social work. Ideal candidates will meet the following criteria:
Essential Requirements
- A qualified Social Worker (or in process of qualifying if practising outside England and eligible for registration).
- The legal right to work in the UK. (Cafcass does not sponsor visas.)
- Registered—or able to register promptly—with Social Work England.
- Significant recent experience with children and families, ideally relating to family court procedures (Private or Public Law).
- (Alternative for early career practitioners) Pre-qualifying experience working directly with children and families counts favourably.
Desirable Traits
- Strong organisation, resilience, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage diverse caseloads independently.
- Familiarity with family law structures, terminology, or best practice.
Working at Cafcass
Flexibility & Locations
- Your workday will be flexible, combining office spaces in Swindon, home, courts, schools, or other suitable environments.
- We’ll provide all necessary technology to enable effective remote and in-person engagement.
- Remote/wide-ranging travel is an integral aspect of the role—some office attendance is required.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Support & Culture
- Promote continuous learning, with in-person and virtual mentor supervision, team meetings, and opportunities to reflect together.
- Regular 1:1 time with managers, addressing development both remotely (induction) and face-to-face (later).
- Inclusive, emotionally supportive environment that balances flexibility with community connections.
- Customised care for wellbeing, practice guidance, classroom training, and equipment.
(For further detail about support and conditions, visit our department website.)
Next Steps
Application Timeline
- Closing Date: 13th July 2026 (subject to change).
- Applications reviewed as received; interview invites follow.
Contact: Questions about the process, contact Kiera Manuel.
Pre-Engagement Checks
Before starting, successful applicants must complete:
- A DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service).
- If any criminal history is declared, we assess each case under DBS guidelines and Cafcass Policy.
- Pair with our pre-hire pack outlining what to expect post-joining.
If shortlisted, your hiring manager will share ===example daily scenarios=== felt by current FCAs.
Read the full job description here if you’d like further reference. Apply now. We look forward to receiving your application!
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location