Experienced Social Worker - Fostering (Supervising and supporting approved foster carers)

This is an ideal opportunity to use your knowledge and experience to work with foster carers and children we care for to supervise and enhance the development of foster carers.

We currently have an opportunity for a social worker in the following area:Supervising and supporting approved foster carers

We want individuals to champion the very best social work practice, who are motivated, flexible, enthusiastic, passionate and with a "can do" attitude who share our passion for improving children's and young persons' lives.

Our 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 Portsmouth City Council Fostering Service as we strive to further enhance outcomes for the children we care for. We are committed to professional development and the provision of training to staff and all our carers.

The Role

Supervising social workers manage and support a caseload of foster carers to provide excellent care to ensure the best outcomes for children we care for - supporting carers to apply a trauma informed approach in their care of children. The role is critical in supporting the carer to develop good relationships with children and their families, providing stable nurturing family homes for as long as the children need to be with them.

Supervising social workers support foster carers as members of the team around the child developing good working relationships with a range of professionals involved with children and their families. They have a sound understanding of the statutory duties of a fostering service and be able to work to statutory and service timescales.

There is a range of care types within the fostering service, including the Mockingbird Model of Care with which supervising social workers are involved. Portsmouth provides comprehensive support to carers, including a duty rota system during working hours, training pathway, support groups, carer mentoring scheme, social events and an out of hours service to carers.

The ideal candidate

You will need to have/be

• A social work qualification (degree, diploma or equivalent) 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/or foster carers.
• You will have an understanding of models of therapeutic parenting that enables you to support carers to meet the needs of traumatised children and promote placement stability.
• Be motivated to achieve excellent outcomes for children and have the ability to celebrate success and also challenge poor practice.
• Have a sound understanding of legislation and care standards relating to children, fostering & safeguarding.
• Use restorative practice working with carers, families and professionals. Be solution focused, openly communicate and explore issues that may be challenging for potential carers or approved carers.
• Have excellent presentation skills to support the production and delivery of virtual and face to face training for carers.
• Have good written skills and be able to gather record and maintain accurate information in a clear and concise way to support your work- producing coherent and analytical reports.
• Be someone who enjoys a busy atmosphere who can cope with competing demands and the challenges that come with them. Be a resilient , supportive, and a flexible team member with a willingness to participate in other team tasks in the fostering service.
• Be willing to participate in the Out of Hours Foster Carers Support Service. Have the ability to meet the travel commitments of the post when assessing or supporting carers outside Portsmouth City including overnight stays if required.

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 Jackie Clark - jackie.clark2@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 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