Job Description

Organisation

Southampton City Council

Service Area

Family Safeguarding

Job Location

Civic Centre

Contract Length

Permanent

Work Hours

Full time 37 hours per week

Salary

37,280 to 40,778 per annum

Special Requirements

Enhanced DBS check required

Closing Date

15/10/2025

Job Reference

16047
and Person specification



We saw that social care reform was coming, and we acted. We transformed our service, restructured our teams, changed how we work with each other and our partners, and we improved.



We believe one simple thing: that everyday counts and everyone matters.



Over the last couple of years, we've been on a journey that has seen Ofsted has our Children's Services as 'Good' with 'Outstanding Leadership', and more recently has inspected our SEND provision (Area full SEND inspection) and how we work with partner agencies (Joint Target Area Inspection). In every inspection Ofsted has recognised our commitment and dedication to delivering the best outcomes for children, young people and families.



But we're ambitious for our children and young people, so our journey continues.

We have an opportunity for a full time (37 hours per week) Family Practitioner to join our Kinship Care team.

About the team:

You will join an energetic and dynamic team striving to keeping children within their Kinship network. The team consist of Social Workers and Family Practitioners who take on various roles within the Safeguarding Service.



Our service links in with almost every aspect of Children's Services, whether that be via Family Links, linking in extended family to support a young person, carrying out Family Group Conferences (FGC) or providing post Special Guardianship support. We have lead responsibility for Private Fostering and Stepparent Adoption as well as fostering assessments for Kinship carers.



We are committed to continue providing the best service we can for our children and families. Here in Southampton, we have received a 'Good' outcome from Ofsted during our most recent inspection with a grading of 'Outstanding' in respect of leadership and management. We recognise that for workers to be at their best to support families, they need the right support from their leaders in learning opportunities, consistent meaningful supervision, and a positive work environment.



We promote relational practice and believe that positive and open relationships with each other, with our colleague agencies and with our families are essential to helping create change and supporting families.

About the role:

In Southampton we are committed to supporting families to make realistic, safe/robust plans for protection of their children and to enable them to care for their children within their own family network. We know that children often lose links with their extended family and friendship network; part of our role is to try and establish these links for young people. The FGC model is used to bring family members and friends together to look at how they can collectively provide sustainable solutions to the problems being experienced in caring for children within the family.



Your role as a Family Practitioner would be in respect of family links work, possible FGC and post guardianship support as well as delivering training to kinship carers. The role is varied and dynamic with a clear ethos of keeping children within their family or extended networks.

About you:

Experience working in or around social care, or a role that involves problem-solving in sensitive situations or at time of crisis Ability to support children and their families, with information from agencies, to enable them to find their own solutions to difficulties. Clear child focus and being adept in bringing people together and ensuring everyone is listened to. Good communication skills and the ability to engage quickly with clients will be essential. Mediation skills are vital to the post in order that differences of opinion can be expressed constructively. Openness and honesty A creative and compassionate approach to work

What we can offer you:

Salary:

The salary band for this role is 37,280 - 40,778. The starting salary is

37,280

with annual progression through the salary bands.



Here at SCC we have a range of different perks and benefits, a few examples can be found below.


Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution) Generous holiday 25-31 days, based on role and service Flexible working options (role-dependent) Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents Training and development, including coaching and mentoring Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

Contact details for informal discussion:

For further information and details regarding the role, please contact Paula Weir, Assistant Team Manager, paula.weir@southampton.gov.uk or Gayle Langhorn, Team Manager, gayle.langhorn@southampton.gov.uk

Please note:

We are not able to offer Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship on this role, at this time.

Recruitment contact details

:



Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk

Tel: 023 8083 4033



For more information about this campaign please visit: Southampton's social care reform journey



For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council

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