At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Special Guardians with advice, training, and direct work with families to improve outcomes.
- Company: Portsmouth City Council, committed to community support and collaboration.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a diverse team focused on positive change in the community.
- Why this job: Empower families and children while working in a supportive, dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualification and experience in social care or family support.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The role involves providing advice, guidance and support to Special Guardians locally and beyond, managing a caseload, delivering training, facilitating support groups, and working directly with children, carers and families to assess needs and improve outcomes. The coordinator will use a restorative, strengths‑based approach and collaborate with multi‑agency partners to deliver tailored services.
- Provide advice, guidance and support to Special Guardians locally and beyond.
- Manage a caseload, delivering training and facilitating support groups.
- Work directly with children, carers and families to assess needs and improve outcomes.
- Deliver targeted interventions covering emotional wellbeing, behavioural challenges, family relationships, substance misuse, housing and financial support.
- Empower families using a restorative, strengths‑based approach.
- Act as lead professional, coordinating multi‑agency support.
- Represent the service at meetings, educational settings and community events.
- Contribute to development and delivery of training and support programmes for Special Guardians.
- Help families build sustainable, long‑term solutions to reduce demand on statutory services.
Ideal Candidate
- Relevant qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 4 or equivalent experience).
- 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.
- Flexible and positive attitude focused on achieving the best outcomes.
- Driving licence and access to transport or ability to travel across Portsmouth.
- Occasional evening and out‑of‑hours work required.
Working Arrangements
Minimum of two days per week in the office as per Hybrid Working Policy.
Equality and Diversity
We are a disability confident employer and meet the Armed Forces Covenant gold standard.
Right to Work
Applicants must demonstrate right to work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Sponsorship
We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.
Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker – Portsmouth employer: Recruit4Mum
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the council offers numerous training opportunities and encourages collaboration across multi-agency partners to enhance service delivery. Working in Portsmouth not only allows you to make a meaningful impact in the community but also provides a flexible working arrangement that promotes a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker – 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 Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker – 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.
