Location: Engaging directly with children and families in Hampshire (including Portsmouth and Winchester) and Dorset (including Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Weymouth) with a contractual base in either Portsmouth or Bournemouth.
Salary: £45,749 - £49,886 + £4,000 joining incentive (see wider benefits below)
A once‐in‐a‐generation opportunity to practice social work differently
Family justice is changing, and Cafcass is at the heart of that change. With the national rollout of Child Focused Courts, we are leading a transformation in how children's voices are heard and how decisions are made in family proceedings. Child Focused Courts place children's safety, wellbeing and lived experience at the centre of decision‐making from the very start of proceedings. This problem‐solving, less adversarial approach allows decisions to be informed earlier by a clear understanding of children's experiences, including through the preparation of Child Impact Reports.
The role at a glance
* 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
What You Will Do
* 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
Who We Are Looking For
* A recognised Social Work qualification
* Registration 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
Benefits
* 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 paths. 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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