At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and their families, coordinating tailored interventions for positive change.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, a values-driven organisation making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on collaboration and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on families' lives while developing your skills in social care.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 4 or equivalent experience in family support or early help services required.
The predicted salary is between 33119 - 37562 £ per year.
Portsmouth City Council is looking for a dedicated and skilled Family Help Lead Practitioner to join our Children with Disabilities Team. We have the following hours available: 1 x Full Time 37 hours & 1 x Part time 18.5 hours. This is a Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2027.
About Family Help
- Family Help replaces the traditional divide between early help and statutory services, ensuring families receive coordinated support at the right time.
- A whole-family focus that addresses the needs of everyone in the household.
- A single assessment and plan to reduce duplication and improve outcomes.
- Family Help Lead Practitioners who act as the main point of contact for families.
- Evidence-based interventions that build resilience and promote independence.
- Family-led planning that places families at the centre of decision-making.
The Role
As a Family Help Lead Practitioner, you will work directly with children, young people, and families to assess needs, identify strengths, and develop plans that support positive change. You will build trusted relationships with families and coordinate support from a range of professionals to ensure the whole family's needs are met. You will complete Early Help Assessments, develop outcome-focused plans, and provide direct interventions on issues including emotional wellbeing, family relationships, healthy lifestyles, challenging behaviour, housing, income, and substance misuse. You will support families who have children with disabilities or additional needs, helping them access the support available within their home and community. Acting as the Lead Professional, you will coordinate Team Around the Family meetings, work closely with schools, colleges, health services, and other partners, and ensure families receive the right support at the right time. You will also provide information, advice, and guidance to children and young people in a range of settings, contributing to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of services.
The ideal candidate
- You will hold a nationally recognised qualification at NVQ Level 4 or above, or possess equivalent professional experience in family support or early help services.
- You will have experience working with children, young people, and families, including those with disabilities and additional needs, and be confident in completing high-quality assessments and support plans.
- We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- A strong understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment, and child development.
- Experience of delivering effective family support interventions that improve outcomes.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- A commitment to restorative and strengths-based practice.
- The ability to work effectively with a range of partner agencies.
- Strong assessment, recording, and information governance skills.
- Confidence in planning and facilitating group activities.
- Good IT skills and experience using a range of software applications.
- The ability to work flexibly, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
A driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to travel easily across Portsmouth using public transport, is essential.
Hybrid working arrangements: you will be required to work in the office/hub 4 days per week, pro rata for part-time working.
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-focused. 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.
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 - Children with Disabilities 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 Family Help Lead Practitioner - Children with Disabilities 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 Family Help Lead Practitioner - Children with Disabilities 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.
