View social work vacancies in children's social care at Portsmouth City Council
We're making it easier for qualified and experienced social workers to join our team with fantastic new benefits, including a market supplement payment of up to £3,000, relocation assistance of up to £8,000, and new career progression pathways.
Interested? Check out the social work vacancies below. Just click the 'find out more' button to see the details and apply. (A new window will open in your browser to the Portsmouth City Council website).
Current Vacancies
Experienced Social Worker - Fostering (Supervising and supporting approved foster carers)
The service
Our service is committed to high standards and a culture of restorative practice. We are continuing to increase foster carer numbers and the menu of support to carers year on year. This is an exciting time to join Portsmouth City Council's fostering service as we strive to further enhance outcomes for the children we care for. We are committed to professional development and the provision of training to staff and all our carers.The role
Supervising social workers manage and support a caseload of foster carers to provide excellent care to ensure the best outcomes for children we care for, supporting carers to apply a trauma informed approach in their care of children.The role is critical in supporting the carer to develop good relationships with children and their families, providing stable nurturing family homes for as long as the children need to be with them.
There is a range of care types within the fostering service, including the Mockingbird Model of Care with which supervising social workers are involved. Portsmouth provides comprehensive support to carers, including a duty rota system during working hours, training pathway, support groups, carer mentoring scheme, social events and an out of hours service to carers.
Social worker and experienced social worker - Family Support and Safeguarding
We have exciting opportunities for qualified social workers to join our Children and Families Directorate, in one of our Family Support and Safeguarding teams (FSS) based in Portsmouth City Council. We have been recognised by Ofsted as a "Good" Local Authority with "Outstanding" for our Family Safeguarding and Support teams.
The successful candidate will have an opportunity to be based within one of our Family Support and Safeguarding teams. Within this team you will be working to provide support under children in need or in need of protection where necessary, or when children have come into the care of children's social care. You may be involved in working families under Public Law Outline (PLO) or within care proceedings. All of this will be undertaken with the support of your manager.
You will be supported in your practice by your service and team leaders, your peers and our Stronger Futures Academy. You will be offered restorative practice and motivational interviewing training in your first year of employment and we have a comprehensive continuing professional development pathway to meet the standards of Social Work England.
Social worker and experienced social worker - Building Your Futures
The service
The Building Your Futures Team supports children and young people who are looked after in foster care, cared for by connected carers or family, and specialist care, and where there is a plan to support children Going Home (reunification).
The role
You will support the most vulnerable children in our service, including care planning, undertaking direct and life story work, promoting positive outcomes and ensuring children and young people have permanence plans, which may include being part of the going home pathway. You will ensure that children and families who experience our service receive a quality service that is responsive to the wishes and feelings of children. You will be supported to be creative and solution-focused in responding to children's individual needs and to involve children and young people in all aspects of their care plans and the services we provide to meet their needs.
Team Leader - Child Safety and Asylum Team (CSAT)
The service
The Child Safety and Asylum Team is a small, dedicated team committed to providing exceptional care and support to children who have arrived in the UK seeking safety and asylum. We believe it is a profound privilege to care for these children in the absence of their parents, and we hold ourselves to the highest standards in doing so. We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Team Leader to guide and support our team in delivering exceptional care to children seeking safety and asylum. This is a leadership role that requires a strong commitment to safeguarding, advocacy, and cultural sensitivity.
The role
As Team Leader, you will be responsible for supporting a dedicated team of social workers who support children and young people who are seeking safety and asylum from the moment they arrive in Portsmouth. You will lead on all aspects of their journey, recognising the trauma, challenges, and loss they may have experienced, while ensuring holistic assessments of their needs, including age assessments where appropriate, and guiding them through the immigration system with ambition for their future. You will work closely with the children we care for team, Building Your Futures and our care experienced young adult team, Supporting Your Futures, as well as external partners such as the Home Office, care providers, and health services. Your ability to build strong partnerships, delegate effectively, and motivate your team will be key to your success.
