Salary:

Main Grade £27,668 to £30,152 + recruitment & retention package of £5000 over 6 years. Higher Grade: £33,436 - £37,306 p.a.

Posts available (PLEASE CLEARLY STATE IN YOUR APPLICATION WHICH POST YOU ARE APPLYING FOR):

• Fixed Term Contract/Secondment for 1 year (Higher Grade) • Permanent (Main or Higher grade)

37 hours per week

Portsmouth City Council is making social work matter and we are looking for new staff to join us. 37 hours per week is the normal working week.

In Portsmouth we recognise that social work matters and therefore continue to invest in our front line services to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable families. As part of this investment we have created a cohesive career pathway and a high ratio of supervisory support to our practitioners so as to develop our social work expertise. As a result of our exciting improvement program we have been awarded status as a Munro Demonstrator site, and are working with service users, practitioners and partner agencies to shape social work in Portsmouth.

The post available is in our Through Care Team; working with Looked After Children to support them through to adoption, long term fostering or reunification home to their families, or with our Care Leavers through to independence. This is an exciting and privileged opportunity to support children and young people in their plans for permanence and to prepare them for adulthood.

Who is the person?

Highly imaginative and very creative individuals, often coming up with inspirational ideas and at times amazing solutions to the toughest of problems. You will want to explore and utilise to the full the immense capabilities of everything around you. To achieve this you will have large quantities of:

• Do It Yourself belief • 'Can Do' instinct • Confidence • Enthusiasm • Humour • Curiosity

We are committed to professional development and will provide training for the successful candidate. If successful you will be joining lively, challenging and supportive teams whose priority is in improving outcomes for Portsmouth's children and young people.

You will:

1. Have a Diploma or Degree in social work and be registered with the General Social Care Council. Evidence of post qualifying experience would be an advantage. 2. Have experience of working in a social care setting, this can include placements. 3. Have a good working knowledge of theory and legislation including the Children act 89/04 amongst others. 4. Be an excellent communicator who is equally comfortable speaking with children and other professionals from external partners and agencies. 5. Have excellent accurate written skills, able to write reports and present evidence in a clear and concise way. 6. Have excellent analytical skill to aid you in your assessment of child protection cases. 7. Be someone who enjoys a busy atmosphere who can cope with competing demands and the stresses that comes with them. 8. Be motivated to achieve good outcomes for children. 9. Have an understanding of anti-oppressive practice and the legislative framework around this. 10. Be a person who wants to be part of the team and actively encourages inter team support. 11. Be computer literate, who is comfortable using MS word, outlook and databases. 12. Have skills in tact and diplomacy - someone who is able to empathise with service users. 13. Be able to consolidate learning in working practice. Closing: 6th July 2017 Applications received after this may not be considered

For more information, details on how to apply and our guiding principles please see the attachments at the bottom of the job page.

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. It is also committed to promoting quality childcare across the City that works to improve outcomes for children.

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's Board safer recruitment procedures.