Councillor Suzy Horton
Suzy Horton
My name is Councillor Suzy Horton, and I'm the Cabinet Member for Children and Families and Education here at Portsmouth City Council. This is a council that has strong commitment to children and young people in our city. This is a council that works with a wide range of stakeholders to circulate a very clear and united vision. Just recently, there was an event called Imagine Portsmouth where those stakeholders were brought together to collate their ideas about what this might look like. This is a council that is keen on innovation. For example, we've set up a family safe guarding model where social workers and other interested agencies work with families to keep them together and to help them muddle through difficult times. Just launched is the Mockingbird model of care, where we create a community of carers to support each other. This is a council where with a cross departmental view. So whilst I am the cabinet member for children, families, and education, I also see it as my business to work with people who lead on housing and who lead on play and culture in our city. This is a council that embraces initiatives. Just recently, we've set up something called Pompey Pirates and I'm volunteering for that. So I'm very keen to get involved. And that's a project which works in improving literacy and developing a love of reading in the most underprivileged children in our city. This is a council that was doing a lot of that anyway, but I think we have to acknowledge that now we need to have that approach more than ever with the impact of the last eight months now of a pandemic, we need to make sure that we are there for our families in this city. And we need people to come and work here who share those values.
A message from Sarah Daly, director of children's services at Portsmouth City Council
"We are on a journey to outstanding. We have worked hard to create the right environment for young people, children and families to flourish.
We know there will be challenges along the way however with your help you can make us change lives and improve outcomes for Portsmouth.
Stronger Futures enables us to showcase what Portsmouth City Council has to offer social workers at all stage of their career. Some of our team have talked about their journey into the profession, giving those interested in joining the team a realistic picture of what it is like to work here.
If you'd like more information on what we do, we're always happy to help."
A message from principal social worker, Clare Poyner
"I am delighted that you are interested in working in Portsmouth. Our children's social care service is a great place to work and develop your career.
At Portsmouth, we are keen to promote a high support, high challenge environment where you will be given opportunities to develop as a practitioner and learn new skills through our comprehensive learning and development offer. Our staff tell us they feel valued, enjoy working in Portsmouth and are well supported by their managers with regular reflective supervision and good access to training and action learning sets.
If you are interested in working in a relationship-based way and are committed to developing your social work practice and skills to deliver an excellent service for Portsmouth's children, then we look forward to welcoming you."
Senior leaders in the council champion the needs of children, families and young people, ensuring they reach their potential in education and employment.
Children are actively encouraged to share their views and be involved in issues that matter to them.
The support given to children who need help and protection is outstanding overall, highlighting impressive early help services and the skilled and specialist help available to children, including those with complex needs.
Your benefits
Portsmouth City Council is a dynamic place to develop a career in children's social care. We pride ourselves on:
Staff development
Committed to continuous training and staff development in a culture that shares expertise and challenges us to deliver high quality services.
Competitive Pay
Enjoy generous allowances and pay that reflects the job you do as well as an industry-leading recruitment and retention package of £5000 over 6 years.
Other benefits
Flexible working and access to a fantastic pension scheme. If you have a family, child care benefits are available as well as discounts with local businesses.
Good work life balance
On average, our social workers have a caseload of 17 enabling you to focus on life at work and outside of it. Dedicated wellbeing package to support all colleagues.
Partnerships that work
Great relationships with organisations across the city ensure local residents benefit from joined up working from the get-go.
Join Team Portsmouth
If you are considering your next steps, join Portsmouth City Council as a qualified social worker in children's social care.
