Team leader - Building Your Futures
The service
Building Your Futures is an aspirational team who are passionate about children and young people's futures. We support 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 team are creative, and child focussed and strive for positive outcomes for the children we care for.
The role
You will be responsible for leading and supporting a dedicated pod of social workers. This includes staff development and learning through mentoring, and reflective supervision. Alongside managing performance, data, and absence, you will also encourage your pod of social workers to be creative and solution focused in responding to individual needs. We believe strongly in involving children and young people in all aspects of their care plans and the services we provide to meet their care needs.
Social worker - Kinship Care team
The service
Portsmouth City Council's Children's Social Care 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 our Fostering Service as we strive to further enhance outcomes for looked after children in the city. We are committed to professional development and the provision of training to staff.
As a service we take pride in our work by valuing others, focusing on what's important so that we make a real and positive difference. Our values are outlined in our ways of working and our guiding principles and if they appeal then this could be the job for you. Portsmouth have recently received their "Good" Ofsted rating which reflects the excellent work we do with children and families in the city.
The role
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.
Team leader - Family Support and Safeguarding (Central Locality)
The service
Children's Social Care provides social work interventions to children in need; this includes those children subject to child in need or protection plans and children looked after, and the service also supports care leavers and children with disabilities. We offer a range of options for children who need placements outside their families, including fostering and residential care alongside adoption, special guardianship and kinship arrangements.
The role
You will join a team of team leaders based in the Family Support and Safeguarding Central 1 Locality, supporting social workers at ASYE, main and higher grade level. You will supervise a team of social workers supporting vulnerable children open to the department, subject to child in need or protection plans and looked after children.
You will ensure all team requirements are met regarding staff development, performance management, compliance with statutory guidance and local policies and procedures, quality assurance and budget management. You will embed a restorative approach to practice and drive forward our improvement goals.
Social worker and experienced social worker - Family Support and Safeguarding teams
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.
Newly qualified social worker (ASYE programme)
Our 12-month ASYE programme provides 'on the job' training to help you understand and unpick the work you are completing. In addition, we offer monthly half day study days, funding to purchase your own resources*, on-site assessors and peer led action learning sets. You will be based in our family safeguarding teams working with children in need or child protection and court, or the building your future's team, for children we care for. After you have completed your ASYE programme, we will continue to support your social work career in Portsmouth through a dedicated post-ASYE development pathway. * via the ASYE Co-ordinator
Foster carers
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!