At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Special Guardians with advice, training, and direct family engagement.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council's dedicated Fostering Service team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Empower families and improve children's lives in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care, strong communication, and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 32061 - 36363 £ per year.
We are looking for a Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker to join our Connected Persons Assessment and Support Team within the Fostering Service. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing service that supports Special Guardianship arrangements across the city. Our Fostering Service provides children with safe and stable care when they are unable to live with their parents. We are committed to high standards, restorative practice, and delivering meaningful support to families. Portsmouth has been rated "Good" by Ofsted, reflecting the high quality of work delivered for children and families.
The Role
As a Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker, you will provide advice, guidance and support to Special Guardians both locally and beyond. You will manage a caseload, deliver training, facilitate support groups and work directly with children, carers and families to assess needs and improve outcomes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Deliver targeted interventions covering emotional wellbeing, behavioural challenges, family relationships, substance misuse, housing and financial support.
- Use a restorative, strengths‑based approach to empower families.
- Act as a lead professional, coordinating multi‑agency support.
- Represent the service at meetings, educational settings and community events.
- Develop and deliver training and support programmes for Special Guardians.
- Help families build sustainable, long‑term solutions to reduce demand on statutory services.
The ideal candidate
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, fostering and children’s legislation.
- Understanding of therapeutic parenting approaches.
- Insight into child development and trauma‑informed practice.
- Experience working with families and delivering support interventions.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
- Ability to manage changing priorities and meet deadlines.
- A collaborative, multi‑agency working approach.
- Strong assessment, recording and report‑writing skills.
- A flexible and positive attitude focused on achieving the best outcomes.
- A driving licence and access to transport (or ability to travel across Portsmouth) is essential.
- Occasional evening and out‑of‑hours work required.
- Valid right to work in the UK.
- Outstanding DBS (Standard/Enhanced) and other safeguarding checks as required.
- No sponsorship will be offered for this position.
Working Arrangements
Minimum of two days per week in the office as per Hybrid Working Policy.
Equal Opportunity
We are a disability confident employer and an Armed Forces Covenant gold standard.
Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to high standards and restorative practices, the council offers meaningful opportunities for professional growth within the social care sector. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture, flexible working arrangements, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and families in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the social care sector, especially those who work with Special Guardianship. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn more about the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your enthusiasm for supporting families and children. Let them know why this role matters to you.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about scenarios where you've used a restorative approach or worked collaboratively with other agencies. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your previous roles, focus on your experience with families and children, especially in social care settings. We want to see how you've made a difference in similar situations, so share specific examples that demonstrate your impact.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so make sure your points are organised logically.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! This ensures it gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on your application status and any further steps in the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding, fostering, and children’s legislation. Familiarise yourself with therapeutic parenting approaches and trauma-informed practices. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully supported families or delivered interventions. Highlight your communication and relationship-building skills, as these are crucial for the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle various situations involving children and families. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would approach them using a restorative, strengths-based approach. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready to ask. This could be about the team dynamics, the types of training programmes you might develop, or how the service measures success. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
