At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and their families in a rewarding, multi-disciplinary environment.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on making a real difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, professional development, and the chance to impact your community positively.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous learning and career growth in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Be part of a family-led approach that promotes resilience and positive outcomes for children.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in complex cases and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 44962 £ per year.
We are looking for passionate and skilled Social Workers to join our Children with Disabilities (CWD) service. This is a rewarding opportunity to support children and young people with complex needs and their families, working as part of a multi‑disciplinary team alongside social workers and an occupational therapist.
Our Approach – Family Help
- Delivers a whole‑family approach
- Provides a single, joined‑up assessment and plan
- Focuses on early intervention and prevention
- Promotes family‑led solutions and resilience
- Ensures the right support at the right time
Role and Responsibilities
As a Social Worker within the Children with Disabilities team, you will manage a caseload of children and young people with complex needs, ensuring they receive appropriate, timely, and high‑quality support. You will carry out proportionate assessments and develop effective plans that promote safety, independence, and positive outcomes while encouraging maximum participation from children and their families. You will use your professional judgement to balance risks and rights, making informed decisions and delivering a range of interventions, including preventative work, safeguarding, and protective responses where necessary. You will take a lead role in safeguarding activity for complex cases, ensuring that children at risk of abuse or neglect are protected, and that interventions support their health and wellbeing. Building strong, effective relationships will be essential, as you will work closely with children, families, and partners across education, health, social care, and the voluntary sector to deliver coordinated support. You will contribute to a culture of continuous learning by supporting colleagues, sharing your expertise, and participating in the development of good practice within the team and wider service.
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified Social Worker and registered with Social Work England
- Experienced in working with children and families, ideally in complex cases
- Knowledgeable in legislation (e.g., Children Act 1989/2004)
- Skilled in assessment, analysis, and report writing
- A confident communicator with children, families, and professionals
- Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing demands
- Passionate about child‑focused, strengths‑based practice
- Committed to restorative and anti‑oppressive practice
- A supportive team player who can also mentor others
- IT confident (MS Office, databases)
Hybrid Working Arrangements
Attendance requirements to the designated workplace will be 3 days required in the office for full‑time post.
Right to Work and Safeguarding
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. 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. You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years – this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Social Worker – Children with Disabilities – Portsmouth employer: Recruit4Mum
Join our dedicated team in Portsmouth, where we prioritise a family-led approach to social care for children with disabilities. As an employer, we offer a supportive work culture that values continuous learning and professional development, alongside competitive benefits and a commitment to work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements. This role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families but also provides opportunities for personal growth within a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker – Children with Disabilities – 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 Recruit4Mum.
✨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 Recruit4Mum!
✨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 Recruit4Mum, 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 Recruit4Mum 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 – Children with Disabilities – 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 Recruit4Mum:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Recruit4Mum! 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 Recruit4Mum
✨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.