3 Month Contract With A local Authority

The Court Progression Manager is responsible for improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people involved in legal proceedings. The role ensures that care proceedings and pre-proceedings progress efficiently, within statutory timescales, and to a high standard of practice.

You will drive performance, reduce delay, and strengthen the quality of court work, ensuring that care planning is robust, child-focused, and legally sound. The role operates across Children’s Social Care, working closely with social work teams, legal services, courts, and partner agencies.

• Monitor and track all care proceedings to ensure compliance with the 26-week timetable and Public Law Outline (PLO).
  
• Identify delays, drift, and systemic barriers; implement solutions to improve timeliness.
  
• Establish and maintain case tracking and performance monitoring systems.
  
• Provide regular (monthly) performance reports and analysis to senior leadership.
  
• Scrutinise court reports, statements, and care plans to ensure high-quality evidence.
  
• Provide challenge, guidance, and oversight to social workers and managers.
  
• Promote best practice and consistency in court work across services.
  
• Ensure the child’s voice, wishes, and feelings are central to all proceedings.
  
• Work closely with:
  
  • Courts and judiciary
    
  • Legal services
    
  • CAFCASS
    
  • Social work teams and managers
    
• Build strong professional relationships and confidently challenge where needed.
  
• Coordinate stakeholders to ensure clarity of roles, expectations, and timelines at the outset of cases.
  
• Provide coaching and mentoring to social workers and managers on court work.
  
• Support managers in quality assuring practice and improving report writing.
  
• Deliver training, briefings, and case discussions to embed learning and development.
  
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and reflective practice.
  
• Lead and contribute to strategic initiatives to improve court performance and service delivery.
  
• Develop policies, practice guidance, and new ways of working.
  
• Support organisational change to improve efficiency and outcomes.
  
• Report to partnership boards (e.g., Local Family Justice Board) on performance and improvement actions.
  
• Ensure compliance with:
  
  • National legislation and statutory guidance
    
  • Public Law Outline requirements
    
  • Court directions and deadlines
    
• Escalate risks, delays, or non-compliance appropriately.
  
• Advise senior leaders and elected members on complex court matters.
  

Requirements

• Strong understanding of children’s social care legislation and statutory frameworks.
  
• Knowledge of government guidance, standards, and court processes (PLO).
  
• Qualified Social Worker (CQSW, DipSW or equivalent) with professional registration.
  
• Minimum 5 years’ experience at Team Manager or Senior Social Worker level.
  
• Proven track record in:
  
  • Delivering high-quality services in multi-agency settings
    
  • Meeting performance targets and improving outcomes
    
  • Managing or influencing court-related work
    
• Experience producing complex reports and communicating with diverse stakeholders.
  
• Experience in performance management, service improvement, or project work (desirable).
  

• Bi-Weekly Payments
  
• 35 Hours Per Week