Special Guardianship & Private Fostering Social Worker

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Social Worker to join our Kinship Support Team, helping children and families thrive through stability, strong relationships, and high-quality support.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a lead role in shaping and delivering services for Special Guardians, kinship carers, and private fostering households—making a real impact on the lives of children across the city.

About the Role

As a key member of the Kinship Support Team, you’ll combine hands-on practice with leadership responsibilities, supporting both families and fellow practitioners.

You will:

• Lead on Special Guardianship support, private fostering, and therapeutic funding (ASGSF)
• Provide guidance and informal supervision to colleagues
• Oversee support plans and case progression to improve outcomes for children
• Monitor performance, data, and service delivery
• Work closely with families, carers, and partner agencies

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Practice Support

• Offer day-to-day advice, guidance, and coaching to team members
• Champion trauma-informed and restorative practice

Special Guardianship (SGO)

• Lead and develop the SGO support service
• Provide expert advice and direct support to carers
• Ensure timely responses through duty systems

Therapeutic Support (ASGSF)

• Manage funding applications and assessments
• Work with therapeutic providers and manage demand
• Ensure high-quality, timely submissions

Private Fostering

• Act as the service lead for private fostering
• Promote awareness and ensure statutory compliance
• Work with families and professionals to safeguard children

The Ideal candidate

We are looking for someone who is:

• A qualified Social Worker with current registration
• Experienced in children’s social care, particularly kinship or fostering
• Knowledgeable in Special Guardianship, kinship care, and private fostering
• Confident supporting or guiding other practitioners
• Skilled in assessment, analysis, and report writing
• An excellent communicator who thrives in partnership working

Hybrid Working - You will be required to work at least 2 working days in office.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Annita Andreou - annita.andreou@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.

Application process

As part of your application, we ask that you complete apersonal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person'points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills.This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.

We are a disability confident employer and have an Armed Forces Covenant.We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

We are unable to offer sponsorship on this role

Safeguarding

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.

You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.