Job Description
The Vacancy
We have potential opportunities across the country, and we will also be hosting an online event on Monday 30th March to give you more information about the programme and locations. Details of this event are available at Working for Cafcass events Cafcass and you can also Register here.
Few jobs are as important as protecting a child's needs and wishes. That's why our training programme gives Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) an exceptional grounding in children's social care. Over two years, we'll equip you to do something vital and amazing: to be the voice of the child in family court proceedings. You'll have the support from the Social Work Academy through your two programme with additional support for the first 12 months as the Social Work Academy will be your mentor and line manager.
In 2026 we intend to recruit up to 18 NQSWs to join us and because we operate across England from 30+ offices, we have opportunities across the country. From Plymouth on the south coast, all the way up to Carlisle and Newcastle, we are recruiting for the very best talented, passionate individuals who can relate to our purpose.
We'll be recruiting across the country at the below locations whilst these will be your office base and you'll work flexibly there will still be some travel around the surrounding area to support children and families, a map of the area can be located in the documents at the bottom of this page). You'll have the opportunity to select a first and second choice location in your application from.
- Birmingham
- Exeter
- Norwich
- Blackburn
- Hull
- Nottingham
- Bournemouth
- Leeds
- Oxford
- Brighton
- Leicester
- Peterborough
- Bristol
- Lincoln
- Plymouth
- Carlisle
- Liverpool
- Portsmouth
- Chelmsford
- London
- Reading
- Croydon
- Maidstone
- Sheffield
- Coventry
- Manchester
- Stevenage
- Derby
- Middlesborough
- Swindon
- Durham
- Newcastle
- York
Working with us is very different to working with a local authority - as you'll hopefully discover. You could be supporting children who are involved in divorces, adoptions or care proceedings. They'll be depending on you and your determination and resilience are essential, along with a gift for communication.
We want to develop social workers into highly skilled professionals who'll ensure that children come first in a complex legal system. To this end, we've developed an Academy to help every NQSW reach their full potential.
Our Social Work Academy enables you to develop practice skills in a safe environment. Led by expert social workers, it will support your journey, enhance your expertise and ensure you work with confidence. As well as an empowering peer network, you'll have access to a mentor plus high levels of reflective supervision. Over the course of a structured three-year programme, you'll develop professional maturity, gain hands-on experience and achieve a respected qualification.
In your first year, you will follow the ASYE (Assessed & Supported Year in Employment) programme with us, developing essential skills in private law proceedings under the guidance of our 78 experienced practice educators. During your second year, to further enhance your expertise in private law, you will continue to receive regular supervision and training. Additionally, you will be provided with opportunities for shadowing, specialised training, and comprehensive support to develop your skills in public law.
Alongside the advertised salary we are pleased to offer payments linked to meeting key milestones up to £2,000.
To find out more, we encourage you to read the Job Description (including Person Specification), NQSW Handbook by going to 'Documents' section and the key milestones document to understand how these payments will be paid.
Still interested?
If so, let us tell you a little about the basic criteria you need to be aware of. We're looking for soon-to-be qualified Social Workers (or those who've gained a recognised qualification since 2025) to join us. You will already have (or shortly will have) an undergraduate qualification a 2:1 or above, or if a postgraduate qualification this needs to be merit or higher.
You will also need to have to be able to register with Social Work England by September so that you can commence your employment with us during October. Finally, to be eligible for the ASYE you will need to have not held a social work role previously or have commenced another ASYE programme
If you are happy to go ahead and commence your application in the meantime, then of course feel free to do so, we look forward to receiving it and we will also then share the webinar details to provide you with further insight.
If you have any questions to do with the role please email Debbie Blackshaw, if your question is to do with the recruitment process or HR-related please email Priya Kadara.
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 over 130,0000 children every year when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures, ensuring their needs, wishes and feelings are heard.
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 27,000 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.
