Family Court Advisor; QSW

Cafcass Reading, Oxford or Swindon requires a Qualified Social Worker to join their team.

Suitable candidates must have a degree in social work and at least 2-3 years post qualification experience working in a Children Team that ideally involved court work.

Cafcass is the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. Cafcass usually gets involved in child proceedings once an application has been submitted to the court. The role of Cafcass is to safeguard and promote the welfare of children by considering their needs, wishes and feelings in child cases. The court usually asks Cafcass advisors to work with families and advise the family court of the interests, needs, wishes and feelings of a child.

A section 7 report is usually required when the court has requested for this to be commissioned either by Cafcass or the social services to assist them in reaching a decision on a child proceedings case concerning the welfare of a child. A report will assist the court in considering a family dispute between the parents and determining an outcome of the dispute.

• Child Arrangements Order – when deciding who the child is to live with and with whom the child is to have contact
• Prohibited Steps Order – preventing either parent from doing certain things or making decisions without the permission of the other parent
• Specific Issue Order – an order to determine a specific question arising in relation to a child

A Cafcass Section 7 report may include background information, key facts, and most importantly will set out the child's needs and wishes in accordance with the Welfare Checklist. When preparing a report the Cafcass officer or social services will need to see the child usually independently, as well as interview both parents individually. Cafcass must consider the criteria of the Welfare Checklist.

The report will include recommendations which will be provided to the family court for them to consider when making an order in respect of a child.

A section 37 report is prepared when the courts become concerned surrounding the welfare of a child. The court orders a section 37 report to address their concerns and to consider whether further steps to protect a child are necessary. The reporting of these findings is known as a section 37 report. It is usually ordered when the court believes a care order or supervision order may be appropriate.

A qualified professional social worker with experience in dealing with children and families will compile the report, either from the local authority or from Cafcass.

The role involves:

• Working with families and providing advice to the family court on the interests, needs, wants and feelings of a child.
• Preparing Section 7 and Section 37 reports, including interviewing parents and child.
• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in child proceedings.
• Collaborating with social services, courts and other stakeholders as required.

• Degree in social work.
• At least 2–3 years post‑qualification experience working in a Children Team, ideally involving court work.
• Experience in safeguarding children and working with courts.

• DBS check processed and paid for by the agency.
• Referral bonus if you refer a colleague or friend to us.
• Bonus for finding your own job.
• Twice weekly payroll.
• Dedicated recruitment consultant to support you throughout your job search, employment, and beyond.

If you are interested in this position, please apply or send your CV to Rebecca Knight or call at the agency’s number.

Eden Brown Synergy offers a £250 referral bonus for Social Workers. Your expert recruitment consultant is Rebecca Knight – call today or email.

Eden Brown Synergy is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Eden Brown Synergy is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.