Social work jobs board

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).

New market supplement payment ASYE → Team Leader

Paid over 12 monthly instalments, ASYEs through to team leaders in qualifying teams receive a market supplement payment of up to £3,000

Relocation support

For specific roles and where there is an employment need, Portsmouth City Council may help with costs associated with relocating of up to £8,000.

Enhanced health and wellbeing package

As an employee, you will benefit from third party support services including GP access and retailer discount schemes.

New career progression pathways

Experienced social workers can now progress to advanced social worker as part of new progression opportunities.

Featured Vacancies

Qualified Social Worker - Building Your Futures

Details

Full time, permanent

£39,151 - £42,838 per annum / Experienced Social Worker £42,838 to £47,181 per annum + £3,000 market supplement payment

Closing: 26/10/2025

Market supplement
payment available

Relocation support
payment available

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

As a social worker within the building your futures team, you will play a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable children in our service.

Your responsibilities will include leading care planning, conducting direct work, and facilitating life story work to help children make sense of their experiences. You will be instrumental in promoting positive outcomes and ensuring that permanence plans are clearly defined and implemented, providing stability and long-term support for the children and young people you work with.

You will also contribute to the Going Home pathway where appropriate, helping children transition back to their families or into other permanent arrangements. The role demands a high-quality, responsive approach that reflects the wishes and feelings of children and young people, ensuring their voices are central to all decision-making processes. Creativity and solution-focused thinking are encouraged, allowing you to tailor interventions to meet individual needs effectively.

Meaningful engagement with children and young people is a cornerstone of this role. You will be expected to involve them in all aspects of their care planning, fostering trust and empowering them to take an active role in shaping their futures. The team places a strong emphasis on therapeutic approaches, offering all social workers training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and access to CAMHS consultations to support direct work and enhance outcomes.

This is a rewarding opportunity for a passionate and committed social worker who is ready to make a lasting impact. You’ll be part of a supportive team that values innovation, collaboration, and child-centred practice, working together to build brighter futures for those who need it most.

Find out more

Current Vacancies

Social worker (Family support and safeguarding teams)

Full time, permanent (Part-time hours considered)

Salary: Social worker - Band 9, £39,151 to £42,838 per annum. Experienced social worker - Band 10, £42,838 to £47,181 per annum. Plus, a recruitment and retention package of £3,000 paid monthly

Closing Date: 31/12/2025

Market supplement
payment available

Relocation support
payment available

We are pleased to offer exciting opportunities for qualified social workers to join our Children and Families Directorate, working within one of our Family Support and Safeguarding (FSS) teams at Portsmouth City Council. Portsmouth City Council has been recognised by Ofsted as a “Good” Local Authority, with “Outstanding” ratings for our Family Safeguarding and Support Teams.

As a social worker in our Family Support and Safeguarding teams, you will support children in need, those requiring protection, and children in care. You may also work with families under the Public Law Outline (PLO) or within care proceedings. Throughout, you will be supported by experienced managers and colleagues.

We are committed to your professional development. You will receive training in restorative practice and motivational interviewing during your first year, and benefit from our Stronger Futures Academy and a comprehensive CPD pathway aligned with Social Work England standards.

Find out more

Foster carers

Details

Full or part time
Competitive allowances, skills fees and tax benefits

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can truly make a difference? Join us as a foster carer and help transform the lives of children and young people in Portsmouth!

At Portsmouth City Council, we are seeking compassionate, committed individuals to become foster carers. We offer a unique opportunity to work flexibly from home, while being self-employed, supported, and well-compensated for your dedication.

Why become a foster carer?

Competitive allowances, skills fees and tax benefits — a rewarding role that values your commitment
Be your own boss while making a real impact on the lives of children who need safe, loving homes
Access to comprehensive training and continuous support from our experienced team
Join a team that uses a strength-based, restorative practice model to create positive, lasting change in children's lives
Work for an Ofsted rated “Good” local authority

Who we're looking for:

People with a big heart who can provide stability and care to children from diverse backgrounds
Resilient and empathetic individuals willing to champion children’s needs
Those with time, space, and the commitment to make a difference
Childcare experience is beneficial, but not essential
People who are able to care for a child in their home and whom have a spare bedroom

Benefits:

Tax-free allowances - fostering allowances do not usually impact any benefits you receive or tax you pay
Competitive skills fees
Access to local support groups and networks
Ongoing training and development opportunities
24/7 support from our dedicated fostering team
Wrap around professional support, include therapeutic support for child and carers
A wide range of discounts and benefits in and around Portsmouth
Free leisure card
Potential to become part of our nationally recognised Mockingbird Programme

Successful candidates will join a community of caring and like-minded people. You will receive comprehensive, ongoing training and professional development, a mentor to work alongside you and a specialist social worker to support and guide you. Fostering is a team activity, so you will never be alone.

Ready to change lives? Visit Foster Portsmouth to learn more or call us today to start your journey!!

Find out more