Why I joined Cafcass – reflections 13 years on

What inspires someone to build a long-term career at Cafcass? A Family Court Adviser reflects on their 13-year journey, from first joining the organisation to supporting hundreds of children and families through some of the most important moments in their lives. They share what drew them to Cafcass, how their practice has developed over the years, and why helping children’s voices be heard remains at the heart of their work today. 

Starting a social work career journey at Cafcass 

Nearly 13 years ago, I stepped through the doors of Cafcass for the first time with a mix of nerves, hope, and a quiet determination to make a difference. I had already spent half a decade in local authority children’s services and saw my time at Cafcass as the next chapter in my social work career. 

The seed to seek employment with Cafcass was planted while I was training to be a social worker, during a talk from a children’s guardian (in those days known as a guardian ad litem). The seminar sparked a sense of possibility in me. I wanted to work in a space where children’s voices could be brought into focus with clarity and purpose.  

Even before I qualified as a social worker, working at Cafcass was an aspiration and I saw being a family court adviser as an opportunity to understand the lived experiences of children in proceedings, and to advocate for them with meaning and intention during family separation, conflict, and change. 

Supporting children and families through transformative social work 

Thirteen years on, the reasons that brought me to Cafcass remain the same. I remain inspired by the moments when a child feels heard, when a parent begins to recognise the impact of conflict, and when thoughtful decisions in proceedings bring stability to children after periods of uncertainty. The privilege of this work is witnessing children and young people regain a sense of safety, identity and belonging. 

Over the past 13 years, after meeting so many children, parents, professionals and judges, I have come to understand that the work of a family court adviser is far more than assessment or analysis. It is an emotional, relational and deeply human endeavour.  

I have learned that a central part of the role involves creating space for children’s truths to be heard, even when those truths are tangled, fragile or difficult for adults to face. I have also learned what it means to hold hope at times when families cannot hold it themselves. 

I have come to trust that careful, evidence informed recommendations, grounded in curiosity, compassion and rigorous practice, can genuinely change the course of a child’s story. These lessons have shaped not only how I work but also how I understand the privilege and responsibility of walking alongside children and families during some of the most defining moments of their lives. 

Professional growth and developing expertise at Cafcass 

Another lesson of the past 13 years has been the importance of continual professional growth and the freedom to explore new ways of understanding and supporting children.  

One of the things I have valued most about my time at Cafcass is the space it has given me to improve my practice and pursue wider learning that enriches the way I work. 

I have been able to train in psychological therapies for children and young people, learning how therapeutic insight can sit alongside social work practice to bring greater understanding to a child’s emotional world. These opportunities and experiences have shaped my practice profoundly.  

Investing in my own development has been a reminder that staying curious, reflective, and open to learning is one of the most meaningful commitments I can make to the children and families I support as a family court adviser. 

Looking ahead: continuing the journey at Cafcass 

As I look toward the next chapter of my career, I feel the same sense of purpose I felt on my first day, although tempered now with experience, resilience, and a more grounded understanding of the difference this work can make.