Service Manager

We are recruiting for the role of Service Manager in our team looking after the Work to First Hearing/Early Intervention area.

We trust and empower colleagues to work in a hybrid way, providing the resources, equipment and support so that individually and collectively we can be the voice of children and young people when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures.

Whilst this role is part of a team based from our office in Stevenage, our teams work flexibly and remotely; your proximity to the office doesnt always have to be a critical consideration.

We are a diverse inclusive organisation that is a safe space for colleagues with shared aspects of identity and lived experience, which helps ensure we provide a service that promotes the diversity and uniqueness of children and families from all backgrounds. We especially welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds as we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the children and families we work with.

We provide extensive wellbeing support for colleagues as well as excellent benefits all of which we hope encourages you to join us.

Being a Service Manager is very rewarding but as you would expect challenging too. As well as being registered with Social Work England youll be organised, resilient, empathetic, supportive and able to work independently.

Alternatively in the Early Intervention Team Family Court Advisers play a key role in ensuring Cafcass only intervenes in the lives of those children who need a service. This role is fast paced, draws on Child Protection expertise and requires analytical and effective risk assessment to identify key issues for the court and make safe recommendations in the best interests of the child.

This is predominantly achieved through effective telephone interviews with applicants and respondents, and by assessing information received from other agencies. They then collate this and succinctly and expertly communicate advice in the court through clear evidence-based reports and representations which will occasionally mean attending initial Court Hearings to ensure that children remain central to all decision making.

We also think you should be someone who has;

• Expert knowledge of children's social work including safeguarding statutory and assessment frameworks
• A track record of highly effective practice management or supervisory experience
• Demonstrable experience of being a practice educator with the skills to continuously monitor, manage, develop and improve team and individual performance
• Proven ability to establish strong and effective networks with other agencies
• Experience of leading individuals and teams through change

If and when you are ready to apply, our application process is straightforward and quick to complete. You dont need to complete your application in a single visit; you can start it and come back and amend your responses or update your CV, just make sure you come back before the closing date to submit.

Below we have given you an indication of the timetable we are hoping to work towards, although dates are subject to change:

• 18 February 2026 – Initial interview
• 24 February 2026 – Final interview
• Week commencing 2 March 2026 – Onboarding (if successful)

We understand that starting a new role is a big decision and you may require further information before applying. You can find out more about the role in the Job Description and there is wealth of information about Cafcass on our Careers page.

If you wish to speak with a member of the team for more specific information you can contact Michelle Berridge from our HR Resourcing team, providing your contact information and best times/methods to get hold of you.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Please be advised successful applicants will be subject to a range of pre-engagement checks including a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). In accordance with the DBS code of practice and our own policy, should an individual have a declared criminal offence an individual assessment will be completed. Further information on what the…