Advanced Social Work Practitioner (Specialism Anti Racist Practice)

The Service

The Children, Families & Education Service provide social work/care support and intervention with children, young people and their parents/carers. This includes Children in Need of Support, Protection and Care, including Care Experienced, Children with Disabilities and Young People who offend and/or are at risk of exploitation.

We are committed to being on an active anti-racist journey. In 2024 we signed up to the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES).The WRES programme aims to progress workforce race equality in adult and children's social care and empower local authorities to address any gaps or concerns of inequality in their workforce.

Children's Social care has a vibrant and diverse community of practitioners who meet monthly at the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) Forum.The group offers a safe space for celebrating ethnicity, sharing experiences, discussing concerns, and building a network for practitioners across the directorate.

The Role

This role is based at the North Locality, Medina House, Cosham, it is a fully office-based role with little opportunity for hybrid working.

You will take professional responsibility for managing a complex caseload which will include individuals, children, carers and families who require support and guidance.Demonstrate confident and effective judgement about risk and accountability in decision-making and be able to sustain engagement with fluctuating circumstances and capacities, including where there is hostility and risk.

Take the lead in managing positive intervention that prevent deterioration in health and wellbeing whilst safeguarding people at risk of abuse or neglect.Undertake assessment and planning for safeguarding in more complex cases, and support colleagues by utilising safeguarding skills, in line with current policies and procedures.

Play a leading role in practice development, help promote and sustain a learning culture and mentor less experienced staff.Deliver formal professional reflective supervision and provide guidance and advice regarding casework to less experienced qualified staff. Where required, take the role of practice educator (or train as a practice educator) for students. Share and present professional knowledge and expertise to colleagues within the team and with other partners. Co-work (where appropriate) with less experienced qualified staff.

Take professional and personal responsibility for clear recording of analysis and judgements, maintaining up to date case records on the database as required. Take responsibility for working within the Directorate’s data protection policies. Chair professional meetings where appropriate.

Support and lead the Global Ethnic Majority Forum (GEM)

The ideal candidate

You will need to have/be

• Have a social work qualification (degree, diploma or equivalent) and be registered with Social Work England. Currently be practising at an Experienced Social Worker level, i.e. Social Worker with substantial experience.
• Have a commitment to undertake relevant continued professional development.
• Have a full UK driving licence or be able to show that you are taking lessons, as you will be visiting various locations across Portsmouth and further afield.
• Offer high support and high challenge to families and professionals ensuring anti discriminatory practice and equal opportunities is adhered to.
• Have the ability to influence and engage social workers, managers, senior leaders to embed the very best anti-racist practice based upon research.
• Be a confident facilitator, have a keen interest in social justice, practice education and anti-oppressive practice.

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

If you would like to discuss this role in more detail with the hiring manager, please contact Julia Newton -

julia.newton@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

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 a personal 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 Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. 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 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.

About Portsmouth City Council

What we can offer you:

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.

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

Portsmouth City Council iscommittedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers tosharethiscommitment.

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 anysupportin completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800