At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need, delivering practical and emotional help to create positive change.
- Company: Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, commitment to inclusivity, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a team that values respect, integrity, and collaboration in a dynamic work setting.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on families' lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 4 or equivalent experience, with strong communication and relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 32500 - 36363 £ per year.
About Family Help
Family Help is our way of working that brings together Targeted Early Help and Child in Need support into a single, seamless offer. It replaces the traditional divide between early help and statutory services, making it easier for families to access support without stigma or duplication. This role is based in the North of the City at Medina House.
The role
As a Family Help Lead Practitioner, you will be the main point of contact for children, young people and families who require support through the Family Help service. You will work directly with families to understand their strengths, identify areas where support is needed and help them achieve positive, sustainable change. You will deliver evidence-based interventions and provide practical and emotional support to families experiencing a range of challenges, including parenting difficulties, mental health concerns, domestic abuse, exploitation and financial hardship. Through building trusting relationships and promoting family-led solutions, you will empower families to develop resilience, strengthen support networks and improve outcomes for their children. The role also involves leading or contributing to Team Around the Family meetings, responding to emerging risks, supporting safeguarding processes and maintaining accurate case records and reports. You will be expected to work flexibly, using restorative and trauma-informed approaches to support families during both routine and crisis situations, helping to prevent issues from escalating and enabling children to remain safely within their family networks wherever possible.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who can make a real difference through skilled relationship-based practice. You will have:
- A nationally recognised qualification such as NVQ Level 4 or a higher-level qualification, or equivalent experience.
- Experience of working with children, young people and families.
- Experience of multi-agency working.
- Knowledge of child development and safeguarding practices.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to engage and motivate families facing complex challenges.
- Excellent organisational and case management skills.
Hybrid working arrangements to be agreed with the line manager.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.
Application process
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under our corporate commitments and meet the minimum criteria; however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. We are unable to offer Sponsorship for this role.
Safeguarding
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.
Family Help Lead Practitioner in London employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. With a focus on employee growth, the council provides numerous training opportunities and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Help Lead Practitioner in London
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Portsmouth City Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Portsmouth City Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Portsmouth City Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Portsmouth City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Help Lead Practitioner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Portsmouth City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Portsmouth City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
