Advanced Practitioner (Social Worker) in the Family Help Team

Portsmouth City Council; Barry; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Portsmouth City Council is seeking an experienced Advanced Social Worker for the Family Help Team. You will manage a complex caseload involving children, individuals and families, using professional judgement to assess risk and take accountable decisions.

The role includes leading safeguarding planning, mentoring colleagues, and maintaining detailed case records. You will work closely with the Service Leader to develop practice and foster a learning culture, including supervision and knowledge

Qualifications

• Must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
• Current practice at Experienced Social Worker level with substantial post‑qualifying experience.
• Ability to provide high support and high challenge to families and professionals.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and anti‑racist practice informed by research.
• Full UK driving licence is required for travel across Portsmouth and further afield.

Responsibilities

• Take professional responsibility for a complex caseload involving children, individuals, carers and families.
• Assess and manage risk using confident professional judgement.
• Lead complex assessments and safeguarding planning; chair professional meetings.
• Maintain clear, analytical case records and supervise less experienced staff.
• Develop practice and sustain a learning culture via reflective supervision and mentoring.

Skills

Social work leadership

Reflective supervision

Anti‑oppressive practice

Driving licence

Education

Social Work degree

Tools

UK driving licence

Job description

Advanced Practitioner (Social Worker) in the Family Help Team

We have opportunities for experienced and ambitious Advanced Social Workers who have a specialism in one of the following areas:

• Housing and preventing homelessness
• Education and the SEND reforms
• Child Sexual abuse
• Supporting neurodivergent parents and parents with learning disabilities

Applicants should identify their preferred specialism, or specialisms, within their application.

The Service

In July 2026, our Children’s Services were rated 'Outstanding' in all areas and highlighted a positive culture where employees feel valued and supported.

Our relational, restorative and trauma-informed practice model focuses on working with children and families, building on their strengths and developing solutions together.

Family Help in Portsmouth brings together targeted early help, Child in Need and Child Protection support within one coordinated service. Through a dedicated lead practitioner, families receive a shared assessment and plan, helping them access timely support while reducing unnecessary changes of worker. Our whole-family approach recognises the connection between children’s wellbeing and the needs of their parents and carers, allowing professionals to coordinate support and address difficulties together.

About the Role

You will take professional responsibility for a complex caseload involving children, individuals, carers and families who require skilled support and guidance. Using confident professional judgement, you will assess and manage risk, make accountable decisions and sustain engagement where circumstances or capacity fluctuate, including situations involving hostility or risk.

You will lead complex assessment and safeguarding planning, select proportionate interventions and balance individual rights with the need to provide protection and maintain safety. You will work alongside less experienced practitioners where appropriate, chair professional meetings and maintain clear, analytical and up-to-date case records.

Working closely with the Service Leader, you will play an important role in developing practice and sustaining a strong learning culture. This will include providing reflective professional supervision, mentoring less experienced employees, sharing specialist knowledge with colleagues and partners, and acting as a practice educator or undertaking the relevant training where required.

The Ideal candidate

You must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. You will currently be practising at Experienced Social Worker level and have substantial post-qualifying experience, together with a strong understanding of relevant legislation and a commitment to continuing professional development.

You will be able to provide both high support and high challenge to families and professionals. You will be a confident facilitator with a strong interest in social justice, practice education and anti-oppressive practice, and you will be able to influence practitioners, managers and senior leaders to embed effective anti‑racist practice informed by research.

A full UK driving licence is required, although applicants who can demonstrate that they are currently taking driving lessons may also be considered, as the role involves travelling to locations across Portsmouth and further afield.

Additional Information

Working arrangements

This is a fully office-based position, working from a Family Help Service, the Civic Offices and a Family Hub in Portsmouth. Opportunities for hybrid working are limited.

Interview details

Interviews will be held on Monday 30th November & Tuesday 1st December 2026.

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

We are a disability positive 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.

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.