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Learn about the 'going home' project and how you could be the difference

Webinar designed for qualified social workers

Hear their voice, be the difference
The 'going home' project

Learn about the 'going home' project and how we're bringing families together sooner

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Video highlights:

  • Clare Poyner introduces the 'going home' project - 3:29
  • David Malcolm talks about the role of adult safeguarding officers -14:30
  • Hana Patrick speaks about family safeguarding at the front door - 25:35
  • Kelly Taylor talks about being a long-term social worker - 30:46
  • Question and answer session - 37:17
  • Jobs in Portsmouth - 44:50

Meet the team:

Photograph of Sam

Sam...

Deputy director, children's social care
(Your host)
Sam leads the strategic direction of children's social care at Portsmouth City Council
Photograph of Dave

Dave...

Substance misuse recovery worker (adult safeguarding team)
Dave works with parents to overcome their personal challenges, ensuring the focus is always on the child
Photograph of Clare

Clare...

Principal social worker (children's social care)
Clare is leading on the 'going home' project which forms part of Portsmouth's approach to family safeguarding
Photograph of Hana

Hana...

Children's social worker

Hana is a short-term social worker completing initial assessments

Photograph of Kelly

Kelly...

Children's social worker

Kelly delivers long term support, helping families on their journey

Questions about the webinar:
How do I hear about future CPD webinars?

We would like to organise other webinars in the future. Until then, we would recommend signing up to our quarterly newsletter to be the first to hear about them.

How do I apply for jobs in social care at Portsmouth City Council?

The Stronger Futures website has a dedicated page that lists the latest vacancies from the service. Take a look at the latest jobs in children's social care at Portsmouth City Council.

How do I enrol on the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment programme?

If you are graduating this year from your social work degree or masters, applications open from February. For more information on the programme, please visit the ASYE page.

Browse vacancies in children's social care

If you are a qualified social worker, join the team who make a difference every day in Portsmouth.

About the 'going home' project

This innovative area of work sees children and young people return to the family home earlier in their journey. We take a careful and considered approach, working with the family to ensure everyone is ready for that next step.

Clare, principal social worker at Portsmouth City Council who is leading on this area explains her approach:

As social workers, we always have the best interests of the family at heart. We know children and young people thrive when they are together. The 'going home' project is a step-by-step approach to reunify the family when the time is right. Working with the adult family safeguarding team means we are joined up, alongside social workers who hear the voice of the child.

When we think about returning children to the family home, we base our thinking and practice on four principles…

Restorative approach: Relational practice which places person centered values and restoring relationships at the center of all our activities.

Family Safeguarding: Working intentionally to support more children to live safely at home by supporting parents - so they are able to care for their own children. Using a strengths-based approach, we seek to build on motivation and promote behavior change.

Trauma informed care: Recognising and responding to the impact of trauma both for parents and their children, as well as each other. This includes adapting our processes and practices to minimise the impact of triggering past traumas, as well avoiding and unintentionally creating new traumatic experiences.

Informed by difference: Empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them different, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, and nationality.

Join Team Portsmouth
If you are considering your next steps, join Portsmouth City Council as a qualified social worker in children's social care.