At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform the lives of adopted children and support families through assessments and training.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council's Adopt South team, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, ongoing training, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team focused on inclusivity and empowerment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience with children and families required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker to be part of our Adoption Assessment and Support team, who offer a holistic approach to helping families and children when they have challenges and need our support. You could help us transform the lives of adopted children and young people. This is a part time role working 30 hours per week.
About Adopt South
Adopt South is a regional adoption agency, launched in April 2019. The agency is formed through the partnership between Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council, with support from voluntary adoption agencies, Adoption UK, Barnardo’s and PACT.
The Role
Based at Glen House in Swanwick, you will work directly with families to positively transform the lives of adopted children. Your passion, enthusiasm and collaborative style will play a crucial role in ensuring successful outcomes for our parent(s) and children.
Having extensive experience and strong assessment skills, you will meet with families to complete Suitable To Adopt Report Assessments, deliver robust support plans, as well as development work and training of prospective adopters. Your experience and skills will also contribute to our training and workshop objectives, peer to peer support groups and family fun events.
This varied role is a fantastic opportunity for a social worker professional with three years' experience, who has empathy and creative thinking. We will support your learning and development, so you will be confident in introducing innovative therapeutic approaches and ideas that support families and our adoptive community.
The ideal candidate will need to have/be:
- A degree or equivalent qualification in Social Work
- Registration with Social Work England
- Experience of working with children and families in social work setting
- Concise verbal and written communication skills
- Mediation and negotiation skills
- Ability to assess risks, needs, and to analyse information and recognise problems
- Understand equalities issues in social work practice and principles of safety, dignity and empowerment
- Understand philosophies, professional social work issues and legal frameworks
- Understand data protection/confidentiality and need for accurate and timely recording
- Highly organised and able to manage time and conflicting demands effectively
- Willing to learn and develop in the role, with ongoing training and personal development
- Able to be flexible with working arrangements to meet the operational requirements of the post
Please ensure that you download and read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention to the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement on your application.
Informal Enquiries
If you would like to discuss this role in more detail with the hiring manager, please contact Rebecca Bowles or Vicky Moore Team Manager.
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.
Our Recruitment 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. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
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.
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.
Social Worker (Adopt South) - Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for social workers. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to ongoing training and opportunities to innovate within your role, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of adopted children and families in the community. Our core values of respect, integrity, and collaboration ensure that you will be part of a team that prioritises both professional growth and the well-being of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Adopt South) - 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 Social Worker (Adopt South) - 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.
