Social Worker (Kinship Care Team) cloned on 30-04-25 11:02:34

We are seeking a qualified and suitably experienced Social Worker to join our Fostering Service on a full-time, permanent basis.

Are you ready to take your social work career to the next level?

Do you want to make a real difference while working in a supportive and dynamic environment?

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. 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.

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.

Kinship Assessment Team Social Worker:

This role will have you assessing kinship carers to ensure the best outcomes for children and families. You’ll need sharp assessment skills, a good dose of empathy, and the ability to write a stellar report.

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.

You will

• Work closely with our children's social work teams in order to support them in their work to secure permanence for the Children We Care For. In doing so, work with and assess relatives and friends both as foster carers and/or special guardians to enable children to live within the wider family if they are not able to live with parents.
• Hold a caseload of families/friends you will be assessing as potential carers for a child/ren within that wider family/network.
• Write high quality, evidenced based assessments to present to court and/or fostering panel with the required timescales.
• According to service need, complete Private Fostering assessments and stepparent adoption assessments.

The ideal candidate

You will need to have/be

• Be a qualified social worker and be registered with Social Work England.
• Have suitable post-qualifying experience in children and families work - experience of working with Children We Care For and foster carers would bean advantage.
• Have a sound understanding of legislation relating to children, fostering and safeguarding.
• Have strong communication skills which enable you to communicate with children, families, fellow professionals including foster carers and otheragencies and to challenge as appropriate. The ability to converse at easewith customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential forthe post.
• Have a restorative approach and the ability to be solution focused, openly communicate and explore issue that may be challenging for potential carers or approved carers.
• Be someone who enjoys a busy atmosphere with resilience and flexibility who can manage competing demands and the stresses that come with them.
• Be a supportive team member with a willingness to participate in other team tasks in the fostering service.
• You’ve got the skills, the passion, and a sense of humour and you’re ready to make a positive impact in the lives of children, young people, and families.

Please see the Job profile for the full details of this role

If you would like to discuss this role in more detail with the hiring manager, please contact Dave Crewe - dave.crewe@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 92 688 371.

Application process

We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.

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.

Please indicate in your personal statement whether you are applying for a main or higher grade post.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

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. 

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

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.

DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800