At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families by coordinating timely assistance and guidance.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Passionate team focused on inclusivity and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while collaborating with schools and agencies.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding or education, strong communication, and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Your new role
Do you have a background in safeguarding or education and a passion for helping children and families access the right support at the right time? As a Link Coordinator within our new Support Hub, you will work closely with schools, families and partner agencies to identify emerging needs early and ensure timely, coordinated support for vulnerable children and young people. Acting as a trusted advisor and key point of contact for education settings, you will provide guidance, challenge and support to improve safeguarding practice, promote early help interventions and strengthen multi-agency working.
This is a highly collaborative and relationship-focused role, where you will regularly visit allocated schools, facilitate problem-solving discussions, support Family Support Plans, advise on attendance and exploitation concerns, and help education professionals navigate the support available across the city. You will play a vital role in improving outcomes for children and families through a restorative, preventative and strengths-based approach.
Essential: Experience working within a safeguarding or education environment, with strong partnership-working, communication and problem-solving skills.
Who is the person summary
We're looking for someone with experience of working with children, young people and families within areas such as Early Help, Education, Early Years, Social Care or a related field. You'll have a strong understanding of family assessments and support planning, excellent safeguarding knowledge, and experience of working collaboratively with a range of agencies and services to achieve positive outcomes for families. You will be a confident communicator who can build strong relationships with schools, professionals and partner organisations, while providing advice, support, coaching and challenge where needed.
Organised and self-motivated, you'll be able to manage competing priorities, handle sensitive information appropriately, and make informed decisions independently. You'll also be comfortable delivering presentations and training, using a restorative and relational approach in your work, and confidently using IT systems, databases and spreadsheets to support effective service delivery. Above all, you'll be passionate about continuous learning, reflective practice and helping others to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
For full details, please review 'who is the person' on the job profile below attached.
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.
Additional Information
If you would like any further information regarding this role then please contact Fran Shaul at fran.shaul@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for further information or an informal discussion. Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.
Interview date: 28th and 29th September
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal. You must demonstrate why you are suitable 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, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. 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.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council.
LA Education Link Coordintor in Portsmouth 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 LA Education Link Coordintor 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 LA Education Link Coordintor 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.
