Job Description

ID 2715

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The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate's name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.
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Vacancy details

Vacancy title
Cafcass Cymru - Family Court Adviser - Mid & West Wales/South West Wales


Closing date
14/07/2025, 16:00


Advertising basis
Permanent
Actual starting salary
A starting salary between 45,974 and 50,682 will be offered to the successful candidate based on their skills, knowledge and experience and performance at interview. This range is not negotiable.
Salary range or pay band
SEO 45,974 to 54,431
Allowances
Yes
Allowance
Other
Allowance
ECUA - An allowance of 1,000 per year is available if you use your own car for all official business travel and cover in excess of 2,000 statutory miles per year. A valid driving licence and motor insurance is required.
Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Group
Health, Social Care and Early Years
Directorate
HSCEY
Branch
CAFCASS CYMRU
Location (s)
Pan Wales
Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. A list of the Welsh Government's offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.
Purpose of post
Cafcass Cymru is operational - advising the court on cases where a child's welfare is at stake - and is also part of Welsh Government. We therefore have the best of both worlds - service delivery and the ability to shape and influence. We are an organisation that lives and breathes its values. We are an organisation that is genuine in its desire to improve outcomes for the children we work with. We are an organisation that puts Wales on the map in the worlds of social work and family justice. We want you to be part of this exciting journey of putting the child first and making a difference.


In Cafcass Cymru we support thousands of children and families in family court proceedings each year. Our purpose is to safeguard the child and ensure their voice is heard within the family justice system. The child's future is at the heart of every recommendation made and every action taken by Cafcass Cymru.


Our goals

As a learning organisation, Cafcass Cymru is strongly committed to continuing to invest in our staff to maintain consistent levels of quality, develop our services and innovate and continuously improve in response to future challenges. Our goals are to:

Provide the best quality service to support improved outcomes for every child, young person and family we work with Create an environment and learning culture where staff feel valued, and their well-being is supported. Share our knowledge, learn from partners and use our collective influence to improve the family justice system and children's social care in Wales.
The role

The role of Cafcass Cymru's Family Court Advisers is to represent the wishes, feelings and best interests of children and young people involved in family court proceedings in Wales, providing high quality, independent social work advice that protects and promotes their welfare, leading to safe outcomes.


To be a Family Court Adviser you must hold a recognised social work qualification social and already registered with, or eligible to be registered with Social Care Wales. You must have knowledge and experience of safeguarding children and young people within a statutory sector.


Our work is demanding; therefore, you will need to be resilient and organised, can work proportionately, with strong IT skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills.


If this is the type of culture and organisation you think you can thrive in and you are motivated by making a difference for children and families, Cafcass Cymru would welcome your interest.


We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation with a workforce that reflects the diversity of the children and families we work with. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds with a range of lived and professional social work experiences. This is supported by our dynamic approach to learning and development and there are several Diversity networks which staff can participate in, which include The Minority Ethnic Staff Network, PRISM LGBTI+ Network, and the Women Together Network.



Key tasks
As a Family Court Adviser, you will be working directly with vulnerable children and families, to advise the family courts on the best course of action for the child or young person. You will work with parents, relatives, local authorities, and the courts, and demonstrate your understanding of what the child needs, wants, and feels.


Your key tasks will include:

Carry a case load of private and/or public law cases. Provide professional social work advice and assistance to Courts to achieve a timely conclusion to proceedings and secure the best possible outcome for the child based on their individual needs and best interests. Provide high quality evidence (orally and in writing) to the Court. Ensure that the child's welfare is paramount throughout proceedings, including ensuring the child is safeguarded in line with organisational requirements and the All-Wales Safeguarding Procedures. Ensure the appointment and instruction of legal representation for the child as required and in line with statutory and organisational requirements. Ensure the child's wishes and feelings are appropriately considered and reported upon in a timely and high-quality fashion as part of family proceedings. Advise and assist parents and other relevant parties, in dispute, aiming to reduce conflict and minimise the need for court intervention. Work effectively with partner organisations, stakeholders and people who use our service, whilst maintaining the required independence as part of proceedings. Keep up to date with changes in legislation, guidance, court rules, policies, procedures, and best practice developments. Comply with organisational policies, procedures, statutory requirements, and court rules in the delivery of services to children and families involved in family proceedings. Be responsible for personal learning and development in accordance with the registration requirements of Social Care Wales and the Welsh Government's performance management process. Work as a team member, attend relevant meetings and contribute to the effectiveness and wider planning of Cafcass Cymru as required. Provide management information on workloads, practice and performance as required. Use ICT effectively for case planning and recording and to support service delivery. Represent Cafcass Cymru and the Welsh Government in a professional manner conducive to always promoting a positive image.


Development opportunities
In Cafcass Cymru we want to invest in continuous learning that both develops the practitioner in the 'here and now' but also helps to develop them in terms of their future career.


The role of Family Court Adviser offers substantial opportunities to play a key role in the management, development, and improvement of an all-Wales service, including liaison with a variety of agencies and organisations.



Other vacancy related information
To apply, you'll need to complete the online application form, answering the following 2 questions based on the experiences listed.

1. Using an example from your practice, demonstrate your understanding of the needs of children subject to family proceedings and explain why timely reporting and decision making is critical to ensuring good outcomes for children. (Max 500 words)


2. Using a specific example, tell us about when you have used evidence-based practice to inform your analysis and how this led to safe recommendations and the best possible outcome for the child or young person you were working with. (Max 500 words)


Please note, you do not need to provide a written response in relation to the behaviours. These will be tested at interview stage.


Once you've submitted your application form, the selection process will consist of the following stages:

Stage 1 - Shortlisting based on responses to the above 2 questions. Stage 2 - Written Assessment & Panel interview. If Successful at stage 1, you will be provided with a written assessment task to complete ahead of your interview. The panel will take this assessment in to consideration at the interview stage where you can expect to be asked further questions about your submission. The panel interview will be based on the behaviour and experiences listed above.

The written assessment will be tested against criteria experience 2 - Evidence of effective case planning and recording casework with child/ren and families according to the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care.
A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.


Starting Salary: A starting salary between 45,974 and 50,682 will be offered to the successful candidate based on their skills, knowledge and experience and performance at interview. This range is not negotiable.


Location: Our Family Court Advisers work flexibly, whether this is in court, at home, in the office or of course, with children and families, and we provide the technology to enable you to do this effectively. As a Family Court Adviser, you will be assigned to one of our 5 geographic operational areas with a base office within that area and you should be prepared for regular travel within a reasonable distance of this.


This advert covers vacancies in the South West or Mid & West Wales area (offices in Carmarthen, Newtown and Swansea).


Employee benefits

Cafcass Cymru is a Division of the Health and Social Services Group within the Welsh Government and a career with us offers many civil service benefits including:

Pay progression based on annual incremental advance. Full-time holiday entitlement of 31 days annual leave, plus 10 public and privilege days' leave Access to numerous training opportunities. A civil service pension. Reimbursement of Social Care Wales Fees. Flexible working arrangements.
An allowance of 1,000 per year is available if you use your own car for all official business travel and cover in excess of 2,000 statutory miles per year. A valid driving licence and motor insurance is required.


If you want to find out more, or if you're interested in applying, we strongly encourage all potential candidates to contact us prior to completing an application to discuss the role and recruitment process. Please email CafcassCymruHR@gov.Wales with your contact details, noting the area you are interested in working in and the best times to contact you.



Vetting level
Enhanced
Number of posts
1
Contact point for further information regarding the post
CafcassCymruHR@gov.wales