Qualified Children's Social Worker

Overview

We are recruiting for the role of Qualified Childrens Social Worker team(s) covering the Newcastle area. We trust and empower colleagues to work in a hybrid way providing 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.

Whilst this role is part of a team based from our office in Newcastle our teams work flexibly and remotely; proximity to the office does not have to be a critical consideration.

We are a diverse inclusive organisation that is a safe space for colleagues with shared aspects of identity and lived experience which helps ensure we provide a service which promotes the diversity and uniqueness of children and families from all backgrounds. We especially welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds as we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the children and families we work with.

We provide extensive wellbeing support for colleagues as well as excellent benefits all of which we hope encourages you to join us.

The role and team

Working in the Private Law team Family Court Advisers are involved where families require the assistance of the court to agree on the best child arrangements for the child(ren) involved. Family Court Advisers are typically involved with children for a period of assessment for the court undertaking direct work with children gaining their views and wishes and representing these to the court via written reports and giving evidence and advocating for arrangements that are in their best interests. This will draw on robust risk assessment and mediation skills.

What we’re looking for

Being a Family Court Adviser is very rewarding but it’s not for everyone. You must be a Social Work England registered social worker who is organised, resilient and able to work independently. Confident in your abilities you’ll have demonstrable experience of working with children and families over a sustained period as a Social Worker potentially supplemented from relevant experience from earlier in your career also.

You can find out more about the above – and much more – before you apply and we also recommend you read the job description.

Next steps / Timelines

If and when you are ready to apply our application process is straightforward and quick to complete. You don’t need to complete your application in a single visit you can start it and come back and amend your responses / update your CV just make sure you come back before the closing date to submit.

Below we have given you an indication of a timetable we are hoping to work towards although dates are subject to change.

Closing date : Sunday 2nd November 2025

Initial interview : 27th & 31st October 2025

Final Interview : 10th & 11th October 2025

Vacancy contact and checks

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!

Be Their Voice

We are Cafcass the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and we represent children in family court cases in England. Independently advising the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests we speak up for overchildren every year when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures ensuring their needs wishes and feelings are heard. Watch our video to find out we dont just listen to children’s voices but we can be their voice.

If our purpose resonates with you and you share our ambitions for children - exceptional experiences for every child everywhere and every time - then if you join us you will work alongside like-minded people in a diverse inclusive and supportive organisation. You will be trusted to work flexibly and independently using outstanding technology (e.g. touchscreen laptops iPhone all with first class support including IT Trainers) with access to substantial resources (e.g. Cafcass Library has over 27000 resources on social work child protection and related topics). You will also have opportunities to develop whatever team you join wherever you are in the country and at whatever stage you are at in your career.

Whether you join us in one of our social work roles that work directly with children and families or our corporate and business services teams who provide technology support and expertise you will have the chance to make a difference for children and families. You can also find out more at

Wellbeing, Diversity and Benefits

The wellbeing of our colleagues is something we are truly passionate about as demonstrated by everyone having four dedicated additional days per year when they are encouraged to spend time focusing on their health and wellbeing.

Colleagues can also have a health and wellbeing cash plan for which Cafcass pays the basic premium (you can upgrade to include family members) which allows them to claim back some costs of routine health expenses including dental check-ups eye tests physiotherapy sessions and more.

Overall we foster a holistic approach to supporting our colleagues benefitting physical mental and financial health. This is led by a dedicated in-house team the benefits of which include meaning support is targeted and specific to what colleagues need. Our team can also offer support and guidance when it comes to specific health conditions such as neuro-diverse conditions cancer and the menopause. Our wellbeing offer is further strengthened by an external Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) which provides a free confidential support service 24 hours a day. This means access to clinical and professional expertise which gives you a chance to talk about all kinds of work and personal issues.

If this wasn’t enough we are especially proud that over 125 colleagues have completed training and receive ongoing support to act as Health and Wellbeing Champions. Furthermore we have nearly 100 people that have trained to be Mental Health Allies.

Diversity

We represent children and families from diverse backgrounds and having a diverse workforce helps us to fulfil this responsibility authentically. It also helps us to grow evolve and innovate so we particularly welcome applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds as we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the children and families we work with. We are proud to be a disability confident leader we invite you to join our team we are committed to actively attract and recruit individuals with disabilities including non-visible disabilities and mental health conditions. Our inclusive and accessible recruitment process means we aim to accommodate reasonable adjustments as needed. This commitment highlights our dedication to employing training retaining and developing the careers of our colleagues with disabilities. Our Diversity Networks provide a safe space for colleagues with shared aspects of identity and lived experience supported by allies across the organisation. The networks help ensure we provide an inclusive working environment and a service which promotes the diversity and uniqueness of children and families from all backgrounds. For more information watch our video here. Our current networks include : Ability Matters, Colleagues with disabilities and long-term health conditions, Carers Network, Faith Network, Kaleidoscope Network, Mental Health Network, Pride Network, Neurodiversity Network, Together.

Benefits

We know if you join us you want to be rewarded in a variety of ways including time away from work to spend time with those important to you manage your financial present and future whilst also be trusted to manage your work / life balance. Therefore in addition to our unique holistic approach to supporting your health and wellbeing we also provide :

Generous holidays

28 days holiday (including three for Christmas) rising to 33 days with five years continuous service which could include your current employment. You can also sell any you do not need.

Excellent pension

18.1% employer contribution to Local Government Pension scheme potentially building on your current pension.

Flexible working

Most colleagues work in a hybrid way having the benefits of working both from the office and home we also accommodate flexible working requests (e.g. 9-day fortnights).

Exclusive discounts

Generous discounts with wide range of companies covering leisure technology travel personal finance fashion and supermarkets.

Professional fees

Social work colleagues have their annual Social Work England membership fees reimbursed.

Car leasing schemes

We offer a personal car leasing scheme which provides vehicles at competitive rates through a third party.

This list is just a selection of main benefits and we have a range of policies and processes that allow us to support our colleagues - and their families and we look forward to providing you with further information about these in due course.

Key Skills

Motivational Interviewing,Acute Care,Crisis Intervention,Behavioral Health,Intake Experience,Hospice Care,Case Management,Home Care,Child Welfare,Experience with Children,Social Work,Addiction Counseling

Vacancy details

Employment Type : Unclear

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary : 44391 - 48385

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