Agency Family Court Adviser

Reed; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An agency specializing in social work is looking for three agency workers for the Work After First Hearing service. The roles involve conducting assessments and engaging directly with children to understand their views. Applicants must be Social Work qualified and registered with Social Work England. With significant experience in children & families social care, candidates will manage court deadlines while undertaking face-to-face visits. Competitive pay at £37.75 umbrella plus a £250 joining bonus is offered.

Benefits

£250 joining bonus for new starters

£250 referral bonus for successful placements

Qualifications

• Must be Social Work qualified and registered with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualified experience in children & families social care is required.
• Ability to write focused and analytical reports is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and engage directly with children.
• Advocate for arrangements prioritizing children's best interest.
• Write Section 7 reports for private law cases when necessary.
• Face-to-face visits will be required.

Skills

Social Work qualification

Registered with Social Work England

Experience in children & families social care

Ability to write analytical reports

Excellent time management

Confidence in court

Job description

We have an opportunity for three agency workers in the Work After First Hearing service at Cafcass – are you interested? Or can you recommend someone for £250 if placed?

• 2 roles based from the Reading or Oxford office – covering the Thames Valley region including Oxford, Reading and Slough and surrounding areas
• 1 role based from the Swindon.

Pay rate: £37.75 umbrella.

Office Attendance - Monthly (with weekly virtual meetings)

We are an approved supplier to Cafcass, achieving this status through a competitive process and retaining it by delivering quality, timely and compliant services. Being one of Cafcass’ preferred partners ensures we will always be given priority access to any Social Work vacancies they ask external agencies to support them with.

The roles will involve the following:

• Working in the Private and/or Public Law teams, Children’s Social Workers (or as we will professionally call you - Family Court Advisers) are involved in a combination of cases where either the families require the assistance to agree on the best arrangements for the welfare and safety of the child(ren) involved or 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.
• Private Law - If in a private law case after the first court hearing there is not an agreement about children or there are concerns about the welfare of children the court may ask us to write a Section 7 report to help the judge make a safe decision and the responsibility for doing this will transfer to the WAFH team.
• 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. BIRMINGHA
• 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)
• A commitment to seeing and hearing the child or children concerned and undertaking direct work to engage with children and families and ensure they are at the centre of your report writing
• Ability to write focused and analytical reports
• Excellent time management – court deadlines are non-negotiable
• Court experience, confidence in the court arena

Please contact Lindsey Morganasap 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.