Senior Social Worker (Substance Misuse) in Portsmouth

Your new role involves exciting changes within substance misuse recovery services. We are expanding our provision to improve capacity and quality, which this post will be part of, co-located with new mental health practitioner posts in a multi-disciplinary team based within the Recovery Hub in Southsea. This team will directly support individuals or families accessing the Recovery Hub with multiple needs, as well as working alongside the Recovery Workers, providing advice and guidance.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker to assess the needs of adults with problematic substance use and their carers, identifying creative ways to meet their assessed outcomes under the Care Act 2014. The role includes outcome-led interventions, using a strength-based approach to support people to live their lives. You will work collaboratively with others, maintaining a strength-based and aspirational approach to achieve the outcomes the person wants. You will be assessing clients' needs and agreeing a person-centred support plan, completing reviews of assessments and support plans as required. You will be supporting people with all their health, mental health, and social care needs in a recovery-focused way, promoting independence. Working with a wide range of services and agencies, you will be supporting both crisis management and mental capacity when required. You will have extensive experience of supervising staff and be responsible for managing your caseload. In addition, you will chair or support other staff to chair multi-agency risk management meetings.

Who is the person: You will be a qualified and experienced Social Worker registered with Social Work England. With excellent assessment and supervision skills, you will have a thorough knowledge of Adult Social Care eligibility criteria, Continuing Healthcare processes, and the legislative frameworks that underpin practice, including the Care Act, Mental Health Act, and Mental Capacity Act. In addition, you will have post-qualifying qualifications, such as Best Interest Assessor (BIA) or Practice Educator. The role requires a practitioner who is committed to delivering personalised, strengths-based approaches that promote independence, choice, and positive outcomes for adults. With a comprehensive awareness in safeguarding practice, you will be able to apply legislation, policy, and professional judgement effectively to support individuals. Strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities are required, enabling you to work collaboratively with service users, families, and partner agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes. You will be able to manage a varied caseload efficiently, managing competing demands and changing priorities while maintaining high standards of professional practice. Good written communication and evidence-based recording skills are required, ensuring that case records are accurate, robust, and suitable for legal proceedings where necessary. The ability to communicate confidently and effectively, including managing challenging situations and resolving conflict, is essential, as is the ability to provide clear advice and support in spoken English.

About Portsmouth City Council: Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, 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.

Additional Information: Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position. Our recruitment process information can be found on our support for applicants' page. You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' section 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. Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Adults Board safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at 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. Should you require any support in completing the application form, please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.