At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through stability and high-quality care in a leadership role.
- Company: Join a passionate Kinship Support Team making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow your career while making a positive impact on lives.
- Why this job: Shape services for vulnerable children and families while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children's social care and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 44000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Social Worker to join our Kinship Support Team, helping children and families thrive through stability, strong relationships, and high-quality support. This is an exciting opportunity to take a lead role in shaping and delivering services for Special Guardians, kinship carers, and private fostering households, making a real impact on the lives of children across the city.
About the Role
As a key member of the Kinship Support Team, you’ll combine hands-on practice with leadership responsibilities, supporting both families and fellow practitioners. You will:
- Lead on Special Guardianship support, private fostering, and therapeutic funding (ASGSF)
- Provide guidance and informal supervision to colleagues
- Oversee support plans and case progression to improve outcomes for children
- Monitor performance, data, and service delivery
- Work closely with families, carers, and partner agencies
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Practice Support- Offer day-to-day advice, guidance, and coaching to team members
- Champion trauma-informed and restorative practice
- Lead and develop the SGO support service
- Provide expert advice and direct support to carers
- Ensure timely responses through duty systems
- Manage funding applications and assessments
- Work with therapeutic providers and manage demand
- Ensure high-quality, timely submissions
- Act as the service lead for private fostering
- Promote awareness and ensure statutory compliance
- Work with families and professionals to safeguard children
The Ideal candidate
We are looking for someone who is:
- A qualified Social Worker with current registration
- Experienced in children’s social care, particularly kinship or fostering
- Knowledgeable in Special Guardianship, kinship care, and private fostering
- Confident supporting or guiding other practitioners
- Skilled in assessment, analysis, and report writing
- An excellent communicator who thrives in partnership working
Hybrid Working
You will be required to work at least 2 working days in office.
EEO Statements
We are a disability confident employer and have an Armed Forces Covenant. 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. We are unable to offer sponsorship on this role.
Legal Requirements
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Special Guardianship & Private Fostering Social Worker in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Join our dedicated Kinship Support Team, where we prioritise a supportive and collaborative work culture that empowers social workers to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to trauma-informed practices, you will thrive in an environment that values your expertise and fosters strong relationships within the community. Located in the heart of the city, we offer a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while ensuring you are at the forefront of delivering high-quality support services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Guardianship & Private Fostering Social Worker 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 Special Guardianship & Private Fostering Social Worker 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.
