Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker

The Role

We are looking for a Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker to join our Connected Persons Assessment and Support Team within the Fostering Service. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing service that supports Special Guardianship arrangements across the city.

As a Special Guardianship Community Support and Outreach Worker, you will provide advice, guidance, and support to Special Guardians both locally and beyond, manage a caseload, deliver training, and facilitate support groups. Work directly with children, carers, and families to assess needs and improve outcomes.

You will deliver targeted interventions covering Emotional wellbeing, Behavioural challenges, Family relationships, Substance misuse, Housing and financial support.

You will empower families using a restorative, strengths‑based approach, act as a lead professional coordinating multi‑agency support, represent the service at meetings, educational settings, and community events, and contribute to the development and delivery of training and support programmes for Special Guardians.

You will also play a key role in reducing demand on statutory services by helping families build sustainable, long‑term solutions.

• A relevant qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 4 or equivalent experience)
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, fostering, and children’s legislation
• Understanding of therapeutic parenting approaches
• Insight into child development and trauma‑informed practice
• Experience of working with families and delivering support interventions
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• Ability to manage changing priorities and meet deadlines
• A collaborative, multi‑agency working approach
• Strong assessment, recording, and report‑writing skills
• A flexible and positive attitude focused on achieving the best outcomes
• A driving licence and access to transport (or ability to travel across Portsmouth) is essential
• Occasional evening and out‑of‑hours work will be required

Minimum of two days per week in the office as per Hybrid Working Policy.

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.

You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years – this is essential for all safeguarding roles.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard.