Qualified Social Worker - Family Court Adviser

Qualified Social Worker – Family Court Adviser – London

Location: Cafcass – London
Pay/Salary: Up to £36.50 per hour (Umbrella)
Office Working: Hybrid – 1 day per week in the office, plus court attendance and visits across London
Contract: Locum | 37 hours per week

We are currently working with Cafcass to recruit an experienced Family Court Adviser to join their Central Public Law Team in London.

This role will see you acting as a Children’s Guardian within Public Law proceedings, independently representing children’s wishes, feelings and best interests throughout care proceedings. You’ll assess complex safeguarding concerns, analyse risk and provide clear professional advice and recommendations to the Family Court.

Duties

• Acting as a Children’s Guardian within Public Law care proceedings.
• Representing the wishes, feelings and best interests of children throughout proceedings.
• Undertaking direct work and visits with children and families.
• Assessing complex safeguarding concerns and risks of significant harm.
• Analysing Local Authority assessments, care plans and evidence.
• Providing independent professional advice and recommendations to the Family Court.
• Preparing high-quality analytical reports within Court timescales.
• Attending Court hearings across London.
• Working closely with solicitors, Local Authorities and other professionals involved in proceedings.
• Ensuring the child’s welfare remains central to decision-making.
• Managing complex and potentially high-conflict cases professionally.
• Maintaining accurate and timely case records.

What you need

• Social Work Qualification.
• Social Work England registration.
• Enhanced DBS.
• Minimum 3 years’ post-qualifying experience working with children and families.
• Ideally 3+ years’ Public Law experience.
• Strong experience of care proceedings and Court work.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding and Child Protection.
• Strong assessment, analysis and report-writing skills.
• Confidence providing professional evidence and recommendations within Family Court proceedings.
• Ability to manage complex, sensitive and high-conflict situations.
• Ability to undertake visits and attend Court hearings across London.

Why use us?

At Sheldon Phillips, you are not just a number on a board, you are someone we get to know, creating a personal job search that is as individual as you are. Our expert team are trained to ensure that your needs are met, our compliance procedures are quick and efficient, while making sure you find the job you really want.

If you are interested in this Family Court Adviser role in the Central Public Law Team within Cafcass London, give Rhys Rafferty a call on 07595 063297 or email rrafferty@sheldon-phillips.com.

Referral Bonus: Know someone who would be a great fit? Refer them to Sheldon Phillips and, if we successfully place them into a locum role, you'll receive a £300 referral bonus as a thank you. Terms and conditions apply.