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- Tasks: Support families affected by substance use, ensuring children's safety and wellbeing.
- Company: Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in families' lives while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance use services and understanding of safeguarding principles.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Substance Use Worker to join our Family Safeguarding Adult Team, working directly with parents and carers whose substance or alcohol use may be affecting their children’s safety and wellbeing. This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an innovative, multi‑disciplinary service helping families make sustainable change and supporting children to remain safely at home wherever possible.
About the Role
The role will be co‑located within Family Help and Building Your Futures teams, working alongside Children’s Social Workers, Mental Health Workers, Domestic Abuse Specialists and other professionals as part of Portsmouth’s Family Safeguarding model.
Responsibilities include:
- Delivering specialist substance and alcohol use assessments and interventions for parents and carers
- Supporting behaviour change using restorative, strengths‑based approaches and Motivational Interviewing
- Contributing to multi‑agency plans aimed at improving parenting capacity and safeguarding children
- Working with families in crisis and contributing to risk management and safety planning
- Providing specialist advice, consultation and training to colleagues and partner agencies
- Maintaining high‑quality records and contributing to reviews, conferences and court reports when required
The Ideal candidate
We are looking for someone who:
- Has relevant qualifications and/or significant experience in substance and alcohol use services
- Has a strong understanding of adult and children’s safeguarding
- Is trauma‑informed, inclusive and confident working with families from diverse backgrounds
- Can build effective, empowering relationships with parents and carers
- Is confident working both autonomously and as part of a busy, multi‑professional team
- Has knowledge of Motivational Interviewing and Restorative Practice (or willingness to develop)
Please ensure that you download and read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention to the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.
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.
Working arrangements: This role is office based; there is no Hybrid working.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please email: Becky Walker.
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. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience. 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 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. 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.
Family Safeguarding Substance Use Worker - Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Safeguarding Substance Use Worker - Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social care and substance use services. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities, and they might just have the inside scoop on openings that aren't advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Portsmouth City Council's values and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your motivational interviewing skills! Since this role involves supporting behaviour change, being able to demonstrate your approach in a mock interview can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Portsmouth City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Safeguarding Substance Use Worker - Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Profile Carefully: Before you start your application, make sure to download and read the full job profile. Pay special attention to the 'Who is the Person' section, as this will guide you in crafting your personal statement.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Use it to demonstrate how your experience aligns with the job requirements. Be specific and provide examples that showcase your skills and qualifications.
Address Gaps in Your Career: If you've got any gaps in your career history over the last five years, be upfront about them. Explain what you were up to during that time, especially since this role is all about safeguarding.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of substance use services and safeguarding practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges parents face and how your role can make a difference. This will show that you're not just qualified, but genuinely passionate about helping families.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your relevant experience in detail. Use specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully supported families or implemented behaviour change strategies. This will help the interviewers see how your background aligns with their needs.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since this role involves working alongside various professionals, highlight your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've worked in multi-disciplinary teams before and how you contributed to achieving common goals.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to safeguarding and family support. Think through your approach to these scenarios beforehand, focusing on your trauma-informed and strengths-based methods. This will demonstrate your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.