Social Worker – Children in Care

Social Worker – Children in Care Team
Location: Portsmouth City Council
Rate: Up to £42 per hour
Contract: Full-time Locum (Initial 3–6 months, with likely extension)
Contact: Fred Thomas at Sheldon Phillips

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Sheldon Phillips is working with Portsmouth City Council to recruit an experienced Social Worker for the Children in Care Team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly, well-supported, and child-centred service in a vibrant waterfront city with a strong sense of community.

You will work directly with looked after children and young people to design and deliver care plans that promote stability, emotional wellbeing, and the best possible life outcomes.

Portsmouth City Council takes a relationship-based, trauma-informed approach to practice, enabling social workers to build trust and make a meaningful difference in children’s lives.

• Manage a caseload of children in care

• Complete statutory visits, care planning, and reviews

• Build strong, consistent relationships with children and carers

• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to provide wraparound support

• Prepare clear, evidence-based reports for court and represent the service in proceedings

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration

• Minimum of 3 years’ post-qualified experience with looked after children

• Strong knowledge of care planning, safeguarding, and permanency processes

• Confident working in a hybrid model (office and remote)

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Portsmouth City Council offers flexible hybrid working, a supportive team culture, and manageable caseloads. You’ll benefit from strong leadership, reflective supervision, and ongoing professional development — all within an authority that truly values the voice of the child.

Apply Now
For more information or to apply, contact Fred Thomas at Sheldon Phillips:

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