The Support Center for Child Advocates (Child Advocates) is seeking a passionate, master's-level social worker to join our Core Program on Child Protection. At Child Advocates, we combine the expertise of social workers and volunteer attorneys to create a holistic, collaborative approach to child welfare.

Position Overview:
As a full-time Social Worker at Child Advocates, you will play a key role in providing legal and social services advocacy to children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect. You will work closely with volunteer attorneys to ensure each child receives comprehensive representation—addressing their safety, well-being, health, education, and family stability. You will also collaborate with various stakeholders, including the court system, the Department of Human Services (DHS), and community agencies, to achieve positive outcomes for children in difficult situations.

Key Responsibilities:
• Collaborative Advocacy: Partner with volunteer attorneys to provide client-centered, trauma-informed advocacy to children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect.
• Holistic Assessments: Attend court hearings, conduct home visits, analyze records, and maintain ongoing contact with clients and caregivers to assess and address the needs of children in the context of their families.
• Client Empowerment: Build trusted, supportive relationships with clients to encourage child and youth involvement in case decisions, ensure their voices are heard and needs are addressed throughout their legal journey, and to build their knowledge along the way.
• Collaboration with Key Agencies: Work closely with DHS, Community Umbrella Agencies (CUA), the Philadelphia Law Department, and Parents' attorneys to advocate for the child’s best interests and expressed desires.
• Education & Support: Train, coach and support volunteer attorneys on whole-child representation, legal strategies, and trauma-informed practices to ensure the expressed desires and best interests of each child are upheld.
• Court Support: Accompany child survivors of sexual and physical abuse to court, providing support during testimony and proceedings.
• Social Services Support: Advocate for and arrange access to behavioral health, medical, and educational evaluations and services, and assist with victim compensation applications (VCAP).
This job description is a summary of typical functions and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. A full job description is available upon request.

About the Support Center for Child Advocates:
Child Advocates is a non-profit, volunteer-based legal organization that pairs volunteer attorneys with staff social workers to provide legal and social service advocacy for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. We use a “whole child” model, focusing on every aspect of a child's well-being—physical safety, emotional health, education, and family stability. Our work extends beyond case advocacy to community education and promoting awareness of child abuse prevention. Whenever possible, we strive to maintain children in their homes, ensuring their safety and the security of supportive environments. Our team works tirelessly to navigate both public and private systems, fighting for the services and support children and families need to thrive.

Why Child Advocates?
• Meaningful Impact: Your work will make a direct, positive impact on children’s safety, health, education, and family permanency.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a supportive, multidisciplinary team focused on client empowerment, systemic change, and justice.
• Advocacy with Purpose: Be part of an agency with over 45 years of respected service, known for diligent and effective advocacy in child protection.

Ideal Candidate:
• Deep commitment to child advocacy and making a positive difference.
• Experience in child welfare, juvenile justice, or related fields, with an emphasis on trauma-informed practice.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a diverse, multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and case management skills, with a focus on client empowerment and trauma awareness.

Minimum Qualifications:
• MSW or equivalent, with a focus on child welfare.
• Interest in working with children and youth in the child welfare system.
• Knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, particularly in trauma-informed casework and advocacy.
• Familiarity with local governmental and community organizations and resources.
• Ability and willingness to drive or use public transportation for regular home visits.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with case management systems a plus.

Compensation:
This full-time position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Support Center for Child Advocates and National Organization of Legal Service Workers/UAW Local 2320. The current minimum starting salary is $60,000, which increases with direct years of experience and according to the collective bargaining agreement provisions.

Benefits:
• Health, disability, and life insurance
• 401-K
• Cafeteria plan for dependent care expenses
• Generous leave program
• Hybrid schedule

How to Apply:
Submit your cover letter and resume to personnel@SCCALaw.org with “Social Worker Search” in the subject line.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Child Advocates does not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

The Support Center for Child Advocates (Child Advocates) is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney to represent court-involved children in Philadelphia, in dependency proceedings arising out of child abuse and neglect, and in criminal proceedings where the child is a victim or witness to abuse and the alleged abuser is being prosecuted.  

Agency:  Child Advocates is Philadelphia’s volunteer lawyer program for abused and neglected children, providing legal and social service advocacy, through the service of volunteer attorneys teamed with staff social workers and attorneys. Child Advocates utilizes a "whole child" model of representation, while focusing on advocacy for safety, health, education, family permanency, and access to justice for child clients. Systemically, we promote collaborative, multi-disciplinary casework and solutions to recurrent problems. For the community, we provide educational programs to increase awareness about the problems of and ways to prevent child abuse. Whenever possible, Child Advocates seeks to maintain children in their homes of origin. Child Advocates amplifies the child’s voice in court proceedings, and further seeks to protect children by securing social services, advocating as needed for alternative homes, and supporting children when testifying in court. Respected for diligent and effective advocacy in more than 44 years of service, Child Advocates attorneys and social workers move public systems to deliver entitled services and private systems to open their doors to children and their families.

*Position Summary: The Staff Attorney is responsible for representing children in dependency court proceedings, attendance at internal and external agency meetings pertaining to planning and service provision, and visiting clients at their homes and/or placements (wherever the client is currently residing.) The Staff Attorney will carry their own caseload, as well as consult on agency cases with Child Advocates social workers, and provide technical assistance and training to volunteer attorneys to ensure that our network of volunteer attorneys is equipped with the best practices for advocating for our clients’ needs. The Staff Attorney will also participate in trainings and appellate work and when appointed, advocate for clients who are victims and witnesses in criminal matters.

*This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties. A complete job description with a comprehensive list of duties is available upon request.

Qualifications:  Candidate must be licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We are seeking an attorney who is familiar with child welfare law and practice, with strong written and oral communication skills.  Minimum 3 years legal experience preferred. Public interest and/or experience working with children and families strongly favored. Spanish or other second language proficiency preferred. 

Compensation: This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Support Center for Child Advocates and National Organization of Legal Service Workers/UAW Local 2320. The current minimum starting salary is $70,000 which increases with direct years of experience and according to provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement.

Benefits: Health, disability and life insurance; 401-K; cafeteria plan for dependent care expenses; and a generous leave program.  Hybrid Schedule.

Application Instructions

APPLY TO: Send cover letter and resume by email to personnel@sccalaw.org (SUBJECT: “Staff Attorney Search”).

Child Advocates does not discriminate in any aspect of employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

The Support Center for Child Advocates (Child Advocates) is seeking a DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, CORPORATE RELATIONS & SPECIAL EVENTS to begin work immediately.  Work for a premier child advocacy program. Experience multidisciplinary practice of lawyers and master-level social workers, outstanding staff collegiality, and commitment to quality service.

Agency:  Child Advocates is Philadelphia’s volunteer lawyer program providing free legal and social services for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Teaming volunteer attorneys, and with staff social workers and attorneys. Child Advocates seeks to protect children by securing social services, finding alternative homes and helping them testify in court. For all of the children committed to our care, we work to ensure safety, health, education, family permanency and access to justice. Systemically, we promote collaborative, multi-disciplinary casework and solutions to recurrent problems. For the community, we provide educational programs to increase awareness about the problems of, and ways to, prevent child abuse. Whenever possible, Child Advocates seeks to maintain children and families in their own homes. Respected for diligent and effective advocacy throughout our 47 years of service, Child Advocates attorneys and social workers move public systems to deliver entitled services and private systems to open their doors to needy children and their families.

*Responsibilities:  This is a front-line fundraising position with an emphasis on meeting revenue goals and building significant operating funding from special events with a focus on contributions and sponsorships from corporate and law firm sources. This position provides a full range of support services associated with Child Advocates Special Events fundraising and Corporate/Law Firm portfolio to the Director of Development & Communications and the Development Team, including but not limited to:

• Managing Child Advocates Corporate/Law Firm relationships, including prospect identification and research to maintain a robust donor-prospect portfolio; cultivating and stewarding ongoing relationships within the corporate/law firm constituency; and soliciting contributions through sponsorships and corporate giving programs.
• Planning and executing major events.
• Managing internal and external communications and event promotions, including preparation of documents and reports for Board and Committee meetings, drafting copy for websites and e-blasts, managing social media, and other public relations duties.

* The job responsibilities are only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties. A complete job description with a comprehensive list of duties is available upon request. 

Qualifications:  Three to five years’ experience in special event fundraising, vendor relations, promotions, and/or marketing. Business writing skills; computer database management, preferably with Raiser’s Edge, as well as a background in event software. i.e., GiveSmart/Race Roster, etc.

$70,000 annual salary (DOE).  Benefits include health, disability and life insurance, 401K, flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses, and generous leave program.  Our team is currently working a hybrid schedule (three days in, two days at home). Therefore, we are seeking a candidate based in the Philadelphia area.

Ready to Make an Impact?
Join us in championing the rights and well-being of children. Apply now to be part of our team and help us create meaningful change through your expertise in fundraising and events.

Application Instructions:

APPLY TO: email cover memo and resume to personnel@SCCALaw.org; include “Special Events Search” in subject line.

Child Advocates does not discriminate in any aspect of employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.