Stronger Futures Portsmouth

06/02/2026

In our latest blog, service leader Jackie Clark shares what makes fostering in Portsmouth so unique, and why supporting foster carers is such rewarding work.

Discover:
✨ What sets Portsmouth’s fostering service apart
✨ The joy of seeing children thrive in safe, nurturing homes
✨ Why supporting foster carers is such a meaningful role in children's social care

If you’ve ever wondered what life is like behind the scenes of our fostering service, discover the challenges, the teamwork and the incredible impact social workers make every day.

👉 Read the Q&A: https://strongerfutures.co.uk/news/meet-the-team/meet-the-team-supporting-foster-carers-in-portsmouth
👉 Join our fostering team: https://searchjobs.portsmouth.gov.uk/jobs/job/Qualified-Social-Worker-Fostering-Service-Supervising-and-supporting-approved-foster-carers/1088

05/02/2026

Are you finishing university this year and deciding on where to start your social work career?

We've opened applications for our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) Portsmouth City Council. Our 12 month programme provides structured support, regular mentoring and the chance to build confidence through hands on experience in children’s social care.

Saskia, one of our recent ASYE social workers, talks about why she chose Portsmouth City Council for her ASYE:

"I would encourage anyone considering the ASYE programme in Portsmouth to apply. You will have opportunities to learn from a variety of teams, benefit from a protected caseload, and receive support from experienced and understanding managers."

If you're looking for a council that invests in your development, provides consistent learning opportunities and supports you throughout your first year in practice, Portsmouth is a good place to begin.

Read the full story and find out more about applying: https://strongerfutures.co.uk/news/general-news/starting-your-social-work-career-in-portsmouth-why-asye-could-be-your-next-step

17/12/2025

Meet the team: Rachel Pryor-Jones, advanced social worker 🌟

It’s been a year since the advanced social worker role launched in Portsmouth, and Rachel Pryor-Jones is showing just how impactful it can be.
With a background in young people’s mental health, Rachel blends frontline casework with mentoring, training, and resource development.

She’s helping make clinical language clearer, building confidence across teams, and creating practical tools like one-minute guides on su***de risk and self-harm.

Read Rachel’s reflections on her first year and the impact of the advanced social worker role: https://ow.ly/QFfI50XKU8l

25/11/2025

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand at the Compass Jobs Fair yesterday!

We loved meeting you all and sharing what Portsmouth has to offer.

🎉 Congratulations to our competition winner who took home a hamper full of local goodies. Enjoy your treats!

24/11/2025

Our CPD session is in full swing at the Compass Jobs Fair!

Mark Jowett is leading a deep dive into how we’re transforming fostering through creativity, compassion, and community.

This session explores how we’re successfully recruiting and retaining foster carers by:
✔️ Keeping children local and meeting their individual needs
✔️ Promoting long-term stability through a values-driven approach
✔️ Embedding the Mockingbird model across four constellations to build resilient support networks
✔️ Continuing our intensive fostering model to provide tailored, wraparound care for children with complex needs
✔️ Using creative recruitment strategies and nurturing a strong relational culture

Want to learn more? Visit us at stand 14 and chat with the team today!

24/11/2025

We're excited to be at the Compass Jobs Fair in London today!

Stop by stand 14 to meet our friendly team and find out what makes us .

Let’s talk opportunities, community, and everything Portsmouth! Plus, enter our competition for a chance to win a hamper packed full of local goodies.

20/11/2025

Looking for your next career move in children’s social care?

Meet us at the in London on Monday 24 November 2025 and discover why we’re .

We offer:

💷 Market supplement of up to £3,000 in qualifying teams
📈 New career progression pathways
💚 Enhanced health and wellbeing package
🎓 Sector-leading training through the Stronger Futures Academy
🏡 A trauma-informed, restorative family practice model grounded in our core values

Full details: https://strongerfutures.co.uk/compassjobsfair

17/11/2025

Just one week to go until the in London!

Join us on Monday 24 November 2025 at stand 14 and discover what makes us .

Visit our stand on the day and subscribe to our quarterly e-newsletter to be in with a chance to win a hamper filled with local goodies!

Explore:
👏 Vacancies for qualified and experienced social workers in children's social care
🎓 Our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme
💷 A market supplement of up to £3,000 for social workers in qualifying teams
🏆 Our hamper competition - packed with Portsmouth goodies

Get your free ticket: https://www.compassjobsfair.com/Events/London

13/11/2025

Attending the in London on Monday 24 November 2025?

Don't miss our CPD session at 1:20pm - 2pm on how Portsmouth is leading the way in fostering innovation.

Led by Mark Jowett, head of the Children We Care For service, this session explores how we’re successfully recruiting and retaining foster carers by:

✔️ Keeping children local and meeting their individual needs
✔️ Promoting long-term stability through a values-driven approach
✔️ Embedding the Mockingbird model across four constellations to build resilient support networks
✔️ Continuing our intensive fostering model to provide tailored, wraparound care for children with complex needs
✔️ Using creative recruitment strategies and nurturing a strong relational culture

Whether you are a social worker considering a move into fostering, or interested in becoming a foster carer, this session offers insight, inspiration, and ideas for making a real impact.

Learn more: www.strongerfutures.co.uk/compassjobsfair

11/11/2025

It's National Supported Lodgings Week in Portsmouth. If you can provide accomodation and support to young people taking their first steps into independence, Foster Portsmouth need you!

Find out more at a special drop-in event at The Greenhouse Community Hub in Victoria Park on Thursday 13 November between 12pm - 2pm and 6pm - 7pm.

Find out more below 👇

Why not join us at our drop-in event this Supported Lodgings Week to discover more about the service and have any queries answered. Our experienced team and, in the evening, one of our carers will be on hand at The Greenhouse Community Hub in Victoria Park on Thursday 13 November between 12-2pm and 6-7pm.

Supported Lodgings provides accommodation and support to young people taking their first steps into independence. Many will be leaving foster care, or they may be unable to remain with family or are seeking safety and asylum, and need a safe place to stay as a stepping stone to adulthood.

If you are over 21, have a spare bedroom and some life experience, and enjoy spending time with young people, you could be a Supported Lodgings carer.

Learn more: https://foster.portsmouth.gov.uk/supportedlodgings/?utm_source=facebook_event&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sl_week

10/11/2025

Discover why we’re at the Compass Jobs Fair in London on Monday 24 November 2025.

Visit us at stand 14 to meet social workers from our fostering and family support and safeguarding teams. Hear first-hand what it’s like to work in children’s social care and learn how you can make a difference.

We’ll also be sharing information about our fantastic employment benefits, including:

✅ A market supplement of up to £3,000 for social workers in qualifying teams
✅ Up to £8,000 to support with relocation costs
✅ A generous 17.8% pension contribution
✅ New career progression pathways

👉 For more information and to plan your visit, head to: www.strongerfutures.co.uk/compassjobsfair

03/11/2025

Portsmouth is celebrating Care Leavers Month!

To recognise the achievements of the city's care-experienced young people, the iconic Spinnaker Tower was illuminated in the colours of the Care Leaver Covenant.

A special celebration event was held at the top of the landmark with entertainment, food and a raffle.

Led nationally by the charity Become, National Care Leavers Month celebrates care-experienced young people and raises awareness of their journeys to independence. The 2025 theme, ‘Rising as Me’, highlights resilience, transformation and identity.

Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower was illuminated in the colours of the Care Leaver Covenant to mark the start of National Care Leavers Month.

The striking display welcomed care-experienced young people to the top of the landmark for a special celebration event.

Led nationally by the charity Become, National Care Leavers Month celebrates care-experienced young people and raises awareness of their journeys to independence. The 2025 theme, ‘Rising as Me’, highlights resilience, transformation and identity.

As a signatory of the Care Leaver Covenant, Portsmouth City Council supports 320 care-experienced young people aged 16–25 through a range of services.

For more information about the celebrations, visit: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/portsmouth-lights-up-in-celebration-of-care-experienced-young-people/