At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families in a nurturing environment, promoting stability and positive outcomes.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council's innovative Belong Therapeutic Hub.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive, inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that transforms lives through therapeutic support and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Experience in family support or related fields, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
The Belong Therapeutic Hub is an innovative new service created to improve outcomes for children and young people currently living in residential or other alternative care outside Portsmouth. By bringing together therapeutic, social care and fostering expertise, the hub will identify and support children who may benefit from moving into stable, nurturing foster families. This is an opportunity to become part of a new and developing service with a strong therapeutic ethos. You will have a central role in supporting children, foster carers and professionals, helping to strengthen relationships and promote stability, resilience and positive long-term outcomes.
As a Family Support Worker within the Belong Therapeutic Hub, you will provide practical advice, guidance and support to children, foster carers and families throughout their journey with the service. You will manage a caseload and undertake direct work to identify needs, deliver targeted interventions and improve outcomes. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to support across a range of areas, including emotional wellbeing, behavioural challenges, family time, education and substance misuse. You will work restoratively and build on the strengths of children, families and foster carers, while representing the service at professional meetings, educational settings and community events. You will also help create therapeutic environments in which children feel safe, understood and connected.
The hub’s practice model is informed by PACE, meaning Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy, alongside Dyadic Developmental Practice and relationship-based approaches. A Child Psychologist will contribute to assessments, formulation, consultation, individual work and therapeutic planning as part of the wider team.
The Ideal Candidate
Applications are welcomed from experienced Family Support Workers or individuals with a related professional background, such as youth work, residential childcare, family intervention, education, therapeutic support, children's services, fostering services or other roles involving direct work with vulnerable children and families. We recognise that valuable skills and experience can be gained through a variety of professional pathways.
You will need:
- A relevant qualification, such as NVQ Level 4, or equivalent experience
- Experience of working with families and delivering support interventions
- Knowledge of safeguarding, fostering and legislation relating to children
- An understanding of therapeutic parenting, child development and trauma-informed practice
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- The ability to assess needs and produce clear, accurate records and reports
- A collaborative approach to multidisciplinary and multi-agency working
- The ability to manage changing priorities and meet deadlines
- A flexible, positive and outcomes-focused approach
- A driving licence and access to transport, or the ability to travel across Portsmouth, is essential.
The role will also require occasional evening and out-of-hours work. Hybrid Working - You will be required to work at least 3 working days in office.
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.
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.
Fostering Family Support Worker - Belong Project employer: Portsmouth
Slim Chickens Portsmouth is an exceptional employer, recognised as a Sunday Times Best Big Company to Work For in 2025 and 2026. With a vibrant work culture that prioritises integrity, hard work, and personal growth, employees enjoy generous benefits including discounts, flexible working options, and career advancement opportunities within a supportive team environment. Join us in creating memorable guest experiences while thriving in a fun and motivating atmosphere!
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Family Support Worker - Belong Project
✨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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 Fostering Family Support Worker - Belong Project
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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Portsmouth! 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
✨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.
