Cafcass - Family Court Advisor - Public Law - Central London

We have an opportunity for an agency FCA at Cafcass in the central London office - for the Work After First Hearing service - are you interested?

Or can you recommend someone for £300 if placed?

• Central London office WC1X
• 1 day in the office and as required to visit court and families
• Work After First Hearing: Public Law

Pay rate: £36.50 - £37.75 depending on experience

Work After First Hearing will involve the following:

• Working in the Public Law team, Children's Social Workers (or as we will professionally call you - Family Court Advisers) are involved in a combination of cases where the local authority has serious concerns and requests the involvement of Cafcass in the case.
• Children's Social Workers key responsibilities include:
• Conducting assessments and directly engaging with children to understand and represent their views and wishes to the court.
• Using expertise in robust risk assessment and mediation will be essential as you advocate for arrangements that prioritise the best interest of the children.
• Public Law - In public law a local authority has made an application to the court for authority to intervene in a child's life as it is believed they are at risk of significant harm. FCAs are often referred to as 'Children's Guardians' - they are the independent person who is there to promote the child's welfare and ensure the arrangements made for the child are in their best interests.
• Face-to-face visits
• Lots of hybrid working

Requirements of the role:

• Social Work qualified
• Social Work England registered
• Significant post-qualified experience in children & families social care (not subject to DFE rules) - 2-3 years minimum in a children's local authority social work post
• Recent experience of Public Law work
• Court experience & confidence in the court arena
• A high standard of assessment and case analysis
• Confident in providing oral evidence when not represented by a solicitor/barrister.
• Ability to produce written work to a high standard
• Communicates effectively and demonstrates empathy with children & families within the family justice system
• Effective communication and joint working with a range of professionals and agencies.
• Be child-centred and understand how to engage with children creatively.

Please apply online or contact me asap to discuss in more detail. We are offering £250 joining bonus for new starters with Reed.

Alternatively, we are offering £250 if you refer a friend or colleague and they are placed successfully into this or any other QSW role.