Cafcass Social Work Academy

The Cafcass Social Work Academy aims to develop good practice, inspire new ways of working and shape the training, recruitment and retention of social work staff.

We want Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW) to feel confident in their skills. That takes time and support – which is why we’ve created our Social Work Academy.

Over three years, NQSW will develop their practice in a safe environment, alongside an empowering network of peers. During this time, they’ll gain hands-on experience and a respected qualification (with credits towards a Master’s degree).

However, we know that it takes more than that to achieve professional maturity. And that’s why the Academy also offers outstanding support through mentors and a wider team that includes 78 practice educators that support our students.

Why has Cafcass developed a Social Work Academy?

Cafcass is the largest employer of social workers in the country. As a large national organisation and we have a responsibility to support and contribute nationally to the sector to ensure we play our part in facilitating developments, training and opportunities in the social work profession.

It also makes economic sense for Cafcass to grow our own to ensure we have a pipeline of high-quality social workers, who can be trained and developed to deliver the quality standards that Cafcass expect and require. It allows us to target hard to recruit areas and will enable us to meet the shortfall in resources in those areas that are always a challenge.

Joining the Social Work Academy

We aren’t currently accepting applications but if you would like to provide some basic information and register your interest so we can contact you when this changes, please click here.