Cafcass - Work To First Hearing MASH Style - Social Worker / Family Court Adviser

Reed; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading child welfare organization is seeking a Social Work qualified individual for the Work to First Hearing Team in Norwich. The role involves assessing risks to children in private law applications, analyzing information, and providing advice to the court on safeguarding concerns. Significant experience in social work, particularly within child protection, is essential. This role offers flexible work options and a pay rate of £36 umbrella.

Qualifications

• Social Work qualified and registered.
• Significant experience in social work with children and families at risk.
• Experience in child protection work within a statutory agency.

Responsibilities

• Assess risks to children in private law applications.
• Gather and analyze information to alert the court to safeguarding concerns.
• Provide advice to the court on next steps and possible referrals.

Skills

Social Work qualification

Analysis skills

Child protection experience

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

We have an interim opportunity at Cafcass in the Work to First Hearing service.

Also known as Early Intervention – This is similar to MASH/Duty type roles and will suit someone with this skillset. This is also predominantly a desk-based role with lots of opportunities to work flexibly and remotely where appropriate.

Office base for this role can also be flexible (Leicester, Lincoln, Peterborough, Chelmsford or Norwich).

There are two roles lasting until initially.

Pay rate is £36 umbrella (standard rate).

The Work to First Hearing Team role will involve the following:

• You are considering risks to children subject to private law applications only
• The work is fast-paced and time limited and tends to focus solely on the work undertaken leading up to the first hearing to help the court consider how to proceed.
• The role is focused on safeguarding of children and FCAs review applications, gather and analyse information from the police and local authorities and (usually via telephone) interview the parties to consider the risks and alert the court to any safeguarding concerns.
• The role requires excellent skills in analysis, leading to Cafcass providing advice to the court about next steps. They may also need to consider referrals to other services to support families. FCAs may also attend private law First Hearings and give evidence as required. This may be in person or remotely at the court’s discretion.
• EIT was created due to the unaddressed risks in private law cases. They are often working with quite vulnerable families who may or may not be known to children’s social care and identify safeguarding concerns.
• It’s your role to consider the impact of these allegations and support the court to consider what this means for children and what needs to happen to resolve these issues
• This is a fast-paced team and the work is consistent. It means we need to be highly organised and highly motivated to ensure arrangements proposed to the parents, carers or other family members are in children’s best interests.
• The challenge in EIT is that we don’t see children but still need to put each child ‘front and centre’.

Requirements of the role:

• Social Work qualified
• Social Work England registered
• Significant post-qualifying experience in social work with children and families at risk (although not subject to the DFE rules)
• Experience of child protection work, preferably within a statutory agency. The nature and speed of the work means experience of working recently in a MASH / Duty team (or similar) is helpful as there is a need to respond to and analyse high levels of information quickly.

Please contact Lindsey Morgan asap to discuss in more detail.