Service Manager

Cafcass

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are recruiting for the role of Service Manager across our A12 operational service area on a permanent basis. Whilst this role is part of a team based from our Birmingham office, our teams work flexibly and remotely, therefore your proximity to the office doesn’t always have to be a critical consideration. A once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to practice social work differently Family justice is changing, and Cafcass is at the heart of that change. With the national rollout of Child Focused Courts, we are leading a transformation in how children’s voices are heard and how decisions are made in family proceedings. Child Focused Courts place children’s safety, wellbeing and lived experience at the centre of decision-making from the very start of proceedings. This problem‑solving, less adversarial approach allows decisions to be informed earlier by a clear understanding of children’s experiences, including through the preparation of Child Impact Reports. The role at a glance Working within Cafcass’ Child Focused Courts teams, you will; Undertake direct work with children and families involved in family court proceedings Ensure children’s voices are heard clearly and influence judicial decision‑making Collaborate closely with judges, legal professionals and partner agencies Practise social work that is purposeful, evidence‑informed and values‑led Many practitioners involved in early Child Focused Court pilots describe this way of working as professionally rewarding, aligned with core social work values, and genuinely impactful for children. 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 offices in Birmingham or Stafford , 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. 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.

Requirements

Registered with Social Work England
Organised, resilient, empathetic, supportive and able to work independently
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

Responsibilities

Undertake direct work with children and families involved in family court proceedings
Ensure children’s voices are heard clearly and influence judicial decision‑making
Collaborate closely with judges, legal professionals and partner agencies
Practise social work that is purposeful, evidence‑informed and values‑led

Benefits

Extensive wellbeing support
Four dedicated wellbeing days per year
Health and wellbeing cash plan (Cafcass pays basic premium)
28 days holiday (including three for Christmas) rising to 33 days with five years continuous service
Option to sell unused holiday days
13.7% employer contribution to Local Government Pension scheme
Flexible working (e.g. 9-day fortnights)
Exclusive discounts with a wide range of companies
Reimbursement of annual Social Work England membership fees
Personal car leasing scheme