Job Introduction
We are seeking a qualified and suitably experienced Social Worker to join our Fostering Service on a full-time, permanent basis. This is an ideal opportunity to develop specialist knowledge within the fostering sector. You will have the autonomy and responsibility to really make a difference. The successful candidate will be working with a child's extended family and friends who have put themselves forward as a potential carer. If you are enthusiastic and passionate in making a real difference in children's lives supporting them to remain in the care of their family, then we would like to hear from you
The Role
As a Kinship Assessment Team Social Worker, you will work closely with our children's social work teams in order to support them in their work to secure permanence for the Children We Care For. In doing so, work with and assess relatives and friends both as foster carers and/or special guardians to enable children to live within the wider family if they are not able to live with parents.
You will hold a caseload of families/friends you will be assessing as potential carers for a child/ren within that wider family/network. Write high quality, evidenced based assessments to present to court and/or fostering panel with the required timescales.
Write high quality, evidenced based assessments to present to court and/or fostering panel with the required timescales.
According to service need, complete Private Fostering assessments and stepparent adoption assessments.
The ideal candidate
You will need to have/be
Be a qualified social worker and be registered with Social Work England.
Have suitable post-qualifying experience in children and families work - experience of working with Children We Care For and foster carers would be an advantage.
Have a sound understanding of legislation relating to children, fostering and safeguarding.
Have strong communication skills which enable you to communicate with children, families, fellow professionals including foster carers and other agencies and to challenge as appropriate. The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Have a restorative approach and the ability to be solution focused, openly communicate and explore issue that may be challenging for potential carers or approved carers.
Be someone who enjoys a busy atmosphere with resilience and flexibility who can manage competing demands and the stresses that come with them.
Be a supportive team member with a willingness to participate in other team tasks in the fostering service.
Hybrid Working - You will be required to work at least 2 working days in office.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Annita Andreou - annita.andreou@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
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. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Application process
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. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.
We strongly encourage candidates to add all Career and Education History to their application, as CVs are not reviewed as part of the shortlisting process.
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 More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
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. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
