At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children through the adoption process with expert guidance.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for leadership and mentoring.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with 4+ years of experience and strong knowledge of adoption legislation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Adoption Team
We work closely with families, foster carers, and Adopt South (Regional Adoption Agency) to ensure children achieve permanence through adoption. Our team supports children and families sensitively throughout the process, from parallel planning to adoption orders.
The Role
- Manage a small caseload of children subject to parallel planning and Placement Orders.
- Provide expert advice on adoption regulations and processes.
- Attend family-finding meetings and support matching decisions using trauma-informed practice.
- Quality assure Child Permanence Reports and mentor less experienced staff.
- Deliver reflective supervision and act as a practice educator for students.
- Lead practice development and promote a learning culture across the Directorate.
- Chair professional meetings and support the Team Leader.
The ideal candidate
- A qualified social worker and be registered with Social Work England.
- Minimum 4 years post-qualifying experience.
- Strong understanding of adoption legislation and trauma-informed practice.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development, including leadership programmes.
- Ability to mentor, supervise, and lead practice development.
Hybrid working arrangements: Minimum 2 days in office per week - Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, working family events including occasional evening and weekends.
Informal Enquiries
If you would like to discuss this role in more detail with the hiring manager, please contact Dave Crewe - dave.crewe@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 92 688 371.
Application process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills.
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 one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and 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.
About Portsmouth City Council
What we can offer you: 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. Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage.
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. DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800.
Advanced Social Worker - Adoption Team in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its staff. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees in the Adoption Team benefit from ongoing training opportunities, mentorship, and a culture that values reflective practice. The hybrid working arrangements and focus on work-life balance make it an ideal place for social workers looking to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying flexibility in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Social Worker - Adoption Team in Portsmouth
✨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 Advanced Social Worker - Adoption Team in Portsmouth
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.
