Job Description

We are pleased to invite eligible colleagues to apply for the role of Consultant Family Court Adviser (CFCA), which is an exciting part of our Career and Learning Pathway to create more opportunities for FCAs.
This is the Cafcass designated 'advanced practitioner' role under the terms of the former professional capabilities' framework and current knowledge and skills statement for children's social workers.
The eligibility criteria
Reflecting this is an advanced practitioner role, we have set out very clear criteria. To be eligible to apply you will need to:

• Be a Cafcass employee.
• Be confirmed in your current post.
• Have completed all induction training.
• Have completed all mandatory training or as of 15st April be booked to attend.

• Exceptions may be made where there are clear, acceptable rationale for this not being the case.
• Have been graded 'good' or higher in your most recent PLR.
• Have not had any performance concerns identified within last 6 months.
• Not currently - or within last 6 months - have been on a performance improvement plan.
• Be graded 'good' or higher for quality of practice and case recording, including Assessment and Child plans.
• Have your work deemed 'good' or higher and linked to practice quality standards.
• Always seek situational supervision in line with policy and trigger reviews of the child's plan where appropriate.
• Be connected to your Manager and team, demonstrated through attendance at team meetings, group supervision and team development events.
• Fulfil the expectations of 'Together' in your practice (e.g. sends introductory letters, goodbye letters, and shares recommendations as appropriate).
• Evidence effective use of the Assessment and Child's Plan, using this to support planning for the child, completing it to a good standard, updating as required and ensuring all relevant sections are complete.
• Comply with the seeing and engaging with children policy, in timescale and in person (or rationale for not doing so recorded on file).

Whilst this may appear to be a long list of requirements, but these include those essential areas of best practice a CFCA is responsible for sharing with their colleagues.
Talk with your Manager
If you are confident you meet the above criteria, prior to applying, it is essential that you discuss your interest with your Service Manager. Their support for your application - which they will also discuss with their Head of Practice - is critical to your application being progressed, as they will also have to confirm you meet the eligibility criteria.
Posts you can apply for
Whilst we are advertising for CFCA vacancies across the country, currently colleagues are restricted to applying for opportunities within their Service Area (SA). This is to minimise potential disruption to children and families and aid service continuity.
Below you will see the teams in this SA that are recruiting. Within your application form, you can identify this. You only need to complete one application and if invited to interview, you will only have one interview - the scores from this will allow you to be considered for the vacancies you are shortlisted for and that you are interested in (in order of preference). The vacancies for this SA are below and we have also indicated the timeline we are planning for the interviews to take place.
Team
Full-time Equivalent (FTE) posts
Office
A3
1
Manchester
A11
2
Nottingham or Derby
A15a
3
Grays Inn Road
A15b
2
Grays Inn Road
A17
1
Maidstone
A18
1
Stevenage
Planned timeline for interviews
Weeks commencing DD/MM and DD/MM
Your application
You do not need to include a CV as part of your application. Instead you will only have to complete an application form, which will include four questions in which we want you to provide information / evidence to support your application.
Your responses should no more than 250 words per question (although will allow up to 10% extra, so 275 words maximum). The responses to these questions will be reviewed and scored and determine if you are shortlisted for interview.
Next steps
Once your application has been submitted, your manager will be asked to complete an internal reference. As part of your application, within the 'contact details' section you will be asked to confirm their name and email address.
If you have previously applied for any role as an internal candidate and your manager has since changed, this section may need updating so please check. If your manager isn't currently in work for any reason when you are ready to submit your application, please provide details for the relevant Head of Practice.
If you are shortlisted for interview, you should expect to be informed c10 days before the first interview date. You will be invited to book your interview via the recruitment system.
Lastly, we look forward to receiving your application and good luck!
The formal job description / person specification for this vacancy is available in the 'Documents' section. However, should you require more information we recommend you get in touch either with the named point of contact (see above), or other relevant colleagues that might be able to help you find out more about the role and discuss your suitability for the role.

Skills Required