Service Manager - Private Law, Work After First Hearing - Somerset and Devon

We are recruiting for the role of Service Manager in our Private Law, Work After First Hearing Team(s) covering the Somerset and Devon area. While we are proud that Ofsted judged us to be 'outstanding' when they inspected us in early 2024, we haven't come this far only to come this far. This outcome has energised us to just keep getting better at what we do for children and families. 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 Exeter, our teams work flexibly and remotely, your proximity to the office doesn't 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 which 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. Let us tell you a bit more about the role… Being a Service Manager is very rewarding but as you would expect, challenging too. As well as being registered with Social Work England, you'll be organised, resilient, empathetic, supportive and able to work independently. In Work After First Hearing teams, Family Court Advisers - which is what we call our Social Workers - typically have a mixed Public and Private Law caseload. In Public Law this will include them telling the court about the child's journey and experiences and explain their wishes and feelings, while also carrying out independent enquiries, scrutinising the work of the Local Authority and representing the child in court, alongside their appointed solicitor. In Private Law, Family Court Advisers are involved where families require the assistance of the court to agree on the best child arrangements for the child(ren) involved. Family Court Advisers are typically involved with children for a period of assessment for the court, undertaking direct work with children, gaining their views and wishes and representing these to the court via written reports and giving evidence and advocating for arrangements that are in their best interests. This will draw on robust risk assessment and mediation skills. This is predominantly achieved through effective telephone interviews with applicants and respondents and by accessing 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., Our Family Court Advisers (FCAs) - which is what we call our Social Workers - may be asked by the court to work with families and then advise the court on what we consider to be the best interests of the children involved in three main areas:

• divorce and separation, sometimes called 'private law', where parents or carers cannot agree on arrangements for their children;
• care proceedings, sometimes called 'public law', where social services have serious concerns about the safety or welfare of a child; and
• adoption, which can be either public or private law.
How we support and reward In addition to one-to-one and group supervision, you will have access to a range of practice resources, including the Cafcass Library, National Psychology Service, Practice Experts and our Emerging Talent Programme. We also ensure you have outstanding technology, including modern touchscreen laptops, an iPhone and our excellent case management system, ChildFirst, along with first class support teams, including in-house IT Trainers. We also know you want to be rewarded appropriately. You want time away from work to manage your wellbeing, spend time with those important to you, help to secure your financial present and future and be trusted to work creatively, using your professional judgement. You also want opportunities for professional development, alongside the support and supervision you need to practice safely.


• 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
Next steps / timelines

We are Cafcass - the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service - and we represent children in family court cases in England. Independently advising the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests, we speak up for over 140,0000 children every year when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures, ensuring their needs, wishes and feelings are heard. In short, our role is to… If our purpose resonates with you, then if you join us you will work alongside like-minded people in a diverse, inclusive and supportive organisation. You will also have opportunities to develop, whatever team you join, wherever you are in the country and at whatever stage you are at in your career. We represent children and families from diverse backgrounds and our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is integral to our work. It's central to the values of our organisation; not only do we understand the needs of the children and families we work with, but we're open to all who wish to grow a career with us. Whether you join us in one of our social work roles that work directly with children and families or our corporate and business services teams who provide technology, support and expertise, you will have the chance to make a difference for children and families., Everyone at Cafcass has four dedicated, additional days per year where they are encouraged to spend time focusing on their health and wellbeing. This is part of a holistic approach with the goal of supporting everyone who works at Cafcass to maximise their capabilities to make lasting and positive differences to the lives of the children and families with whom they work. Led by our in-house Health and Wellbeing team, we also offer support that benefits physical, mental and financial health. Our team can also offer support and guidance when it comes to specific health conditions, such as neuro-diverse conditions, cancer and the menopause. Our team is strengthened by the availability of an external Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) which provides a free confidential support service 24 hours a day. This means access to clinical and professional expertise which gives you a chance to talk about all kinds of work and personal issues. We are especially proud that over 125 colleagues across the organisation have completed training and receive ongoing support to act as Health and Wellbeing Champions for their teams. Furthermore, we have nearly 100 people that have been trained to act as Mental Health Allies. This video also gives you a bit more insight into our Health and Wellbeing offer.


• 28 days holiday (including three for Christmas) rising to 33 days with five years continuous service, which could include your current employment. You can also buy more holiday or sell any you do not need.
• Flexible working, including nine-day fortnights.
• 19.4% employer contribution to Local Government Pension scheme, potentially building on your current pension.
• Health and Wellbeing cash plan with your basic premium paid for, which can be upgraded to include family members.
• Social Work England membership fees reimbursed.
• Car leasing schemes