At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead support for hub home carers and develop supportive fostering communities.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, a unique organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, commitment to inclusivity, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment focused on collaboration and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives through innovative fostering support.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in children and families social work.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
About the Mockingbird model
Portsmouth is a south coast pioneer of the award-winning Mockingbird programme. The model creates an extended-family style network known as a constellation, bringing together up to ten satellite fostering households around a central hub carer. Through peer support, planned breaks, practical help and social activities, these communities strengthen relationships and provide valuable support to foster families and the children they care for.
About the Role
Working closely with the Mockingbird Team Leader, you will take a lead role in supporting our hub home carers and developing our Mockingbird constellations. You will recruit foster carers into the constellations and work alongside families to build supportive extended-family communities for children and young people. You will promote effective communication between foster carers, fostering colleagues and social work teams, helping everyone work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for children. You will also support the effective delivery and ongoing development of the model, providing performance and monitoring information to demonstrate its impact and ensuring the programme continues to operate in line with Fostering Network guidance.
The Ideal candidate
You will be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, with relevant post-qualifying experience in children and families social work and experience of working with foster carers and children in care. You will bring a strong understanding of fostering, safeguarding and relevant legislation, alongside knowledge of therapeutic parenting approaches and how these can support carers to meet the needs of children who have experienced trauma. We are looking for someone who can build positive relationships, communicate confidently with children, families, foster carers and professionals, and appropriately challenge practice when needed. You will be resilient, organised and solution-focused, with the ability to work independently while being an active and supportive member of the wider fostering team. Experience of the Mockingbird Family Model or another peer-supported framework would be an advantage, as would experience of project coordination or community engagement.
Additional Information
Working arrangements: You will be required to work a minimum of 2 days in the Office per week.
Informal Enquiries
If you would like to discuss this role in more detail with the hiring manager, please contact Sarah Smith - sarah.smith2@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or Tom Barrow - tom.barrow@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
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.
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. You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
We are a disability confident employer and have an Armed Forces Covenant. 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. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Advanced Social Worker - Mockingbird in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive work culture that prioritises respect, integrity, and collaboration. As a SEN Team Leader, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people with special educational needs, while benefiting from professional development opportunities and a supportive team environment. Located in the vibrant city of Portsmouth, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to strategic SEND developments and be part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to service improvement and community well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Social Worker - Mockingbird 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 - Mockingbird 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.
