Newly Qualified Social Worker

Few jobs are as important as protecting a child’s needs and wishes. That’s why our training programme gives Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) an exceptional grounding in children’s social care. Over three years, we’ll equip you to do something vital and amazing: to be the voice of the child in family court proceedings.

In 2025 we intend to recruit up to 15 NQSWs to join us and because we operate across England from 30+ offices, we have opportunities across the country. From Plymouth on the south coast, all the way up to Carlisle and Newcastle, we are recruiting for the very best talented, passionate individuals who can relate to our purpose.

Working with us is very different to working with a local authority – as you’ll hopefully discover. You could be supporting children who are involved in divorces, adoptions or care proceedings. They’ll be depending on you and your determination and resilience are essential, along with a gift for communication.
We want to develop social workers into highly skilled professionals who’ll ensure that children come first in a complex legal system. To this end, we’ve developed an Academy to help every NQSW reach their full potential.

Our Social Work Academy enables you to develop practice skills in a safe environment. Led by expert social workers, it will support your journey, enhance your expertise and ensure you work with confidence. As well as an empowering peer network, you’ll have access to a mentor plus high levels of reflective supervision. Over the course of a structured three-year programme, you’ll develop professional maturity, gain hands-on experience and achieve a respected qualification.

In year one, you’ll follow the ASYE (Assessed & Supported Year in Employment) with us, gaining core skills from some of our 78 practice educators. In year two, to broaden your experience you will be offered shadowing, training and extensive support to develop you skills in public law.. Year three will see you enjoy further academic development opportunities, as your caseload gradually grows. Then, once you’ve completed the course, we’ll help you build a successful, fulfilling career, where you’ll apply your specialist skills, including those required in court.

Alongside the advertised salary we are pleased to offer payments linked to meeting key milestones up to £2,000 upon successfully completing the 3-year programme.

Still interested?

If so, let us tell you a little about the basic criteria you need to be aware of. We’re looking for soon-to-be qualified Social Workers (or those who’ve gained a recognised qualification since 2024) to join us. You will already have (or shortly will have) an undergraduate qualification a 2:1 or above, or if a postgraduate qualification this needs to be merit or higher.

You will also need to have to be able to register with Social Work England by July so that you can commence your employment with us during September. Finally, to be eligible for the ASYE you will need to have not held a social work role previously or have commenced another ASYE programme.

We have potential opportunities across the country, and we will also be hosting an online event on Wednesday 19th March to give you more information about the programme and locations. Details of this event are available at Working for Cafcass events ¦ Cafcass (https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/working-us/working-cafcass-events) and you can also Register here (https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e450367c-1e35-4053-ac7b-752d30e61d67@9e9037aa-93cb-4cc9-b233-0b56ae9e84ddhttps://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e450367c-1e35-4053-ac7b-752d30e61d67@9e9037aa-93cb-4cc9-b233-0b56ae9e84dd).

We'll be recruiting across the country at the below locations, and you'll have the opportunity to select a first and second choice location in your application form.

Barrow
Hull
Oxford
Birmingham
Leeds
Peterborough
Blackburn
Leicester
Plymouth
Bristol
Lincoln
Portsmouth
Bournemouth
Liverpool
Reading
Carlisle
Maidstone
Sheffield
Chelmsford
Manchester
Stafford
Coventry
Middlesborough
Stevenage
Derby
Newcastle
Swindon
Durham
Norwich
Worcester
Exeter
Nottingham
York

If you have any questions to do with the role please email Debbie Blackshaw (debbie.blackshaw@cafcass.gov.uk), if your question is to do with the recruitment process or HR-related please email Priya Kadara (Priya.Kadara@cafcass.gov.uk).