Qualified Social Worker - Family Help - Portsmouth

We are pleased to offer exciting opportunities for qualified Social Workers to join our Children and Families Directorate, working within one of our Family Help teams at Portsmouth City Council.

About Family Help

Family Help is our way of working that brings together targeted early help and Child in Need support into a single, seamless offer. It replaces the traditional divide between early help and statutory services, making it easier for families to access support without stigma or duplication.

The Role

As a Social Worker, you will help children and families achieve their full potential by:

• Delivering timely, high-quality assessments that lead to clear, targeted plans.
• Providing a responsive, child-centred service that reflects the wishes and feelings of children.
• Promoting service user participation and respecting diversity.
• Ensuring timely and permanent care arrangements that support children's long-term outcomes.

If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference and committed to high standards of practice, this role could be the perfect fit.

About You

We are looking for skilled and motivated professionals who are eager to grow and champion best practice in social work. You will have:

• A Diploma or Degree in Social Work and registration with Social Work England.
• Completion of your ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in Employment).
• A solid understanding of relevant legislation, including the Children Acts 1989 and 2004.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with children, families, and professionals.
• Resilience, integrity, and a commitment to achieving outstanding outcomes for children.
• A restorative and anti-oppressive approach to practice.
• A collaborative mindset and a commitment to inclusive, people-focused work.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, and case management systems.
• Empathy, diplomacy, and respect for service users.

Additional Requirements for Experienced Social Workers

• Expertise in managing complex cases and higher levels of risk.
• Significant post-qualifying experience in relevant settings.
• A commitment to ongoing professional development, including mentoring students and undertaking relevant training.

Why Join Portsmouth City Council?

• Be part of a service that puts families at the centre of everything we do.
• Work within a supportive, learning-focused culture.
• Access excellent professional development and leadership support.
• Competitive salary and market supplement.
• Make a real and lasting difference to children and families in the city.

Please note: This is an open advert, we will shortlist and interview as we go.

Hybrid working arrangements: Attendance requirements to the designated workplace will be a minimum of 2 days required in the office to suit the requirements of this role.

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.

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.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact or call the recruitment team.

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.