Job Introduction
Join an Outstanding Children's Service and Shape the Future of Family Help!
Following our July 2026 Ofsted inspection, Portsmouth Children's Services achieved an Outstanding judgement in all four inspection areas, recognising the exceptional progress we have made for children, young people and families. Inspectors highlighted our strong leadership, committed workforce and relentless focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and families.
This is an exciting time to join Portsmouth City Council. We are building on our Outstanding Ofsted success through the implementation of our innovative Family Help Model, bringing together targeted early help, family support and statutory social work into one coordinated, relationship-based service.
As our new Service Leader for Central Family Help, you will play a pivotal role in leading this transformation, shaping practice, inspiring teams and helping children and families achieve lasting change.
If you are looking for a senior leadership opportunity where you can make a genuine difference, influence the future of Family Help and build on an Outstanding Ofsted judgement, we would love to hear from you.
Why Portsmouth?
At Portsmouth, we believe children thrive best within their families and communities whenever it is safe for them to do so. We are committed to relationship-based, strengths-led practice and work alongside families to build on strengths, reduce risk and create sustainable outcomes.
You will be joining:
- An Outstanding-rated Children's Service recognised by Ofsted.
- A forward-thinking organisation driving ambitious social care reform.
- A culture that values learning, innovation and continuous improvement.
- A workforce committed to delivering excellent outcomes for children and families.
- A leadership team focused on supporting and developing staff at every level.
Central Family Help delivers integrated support, intervention and statutory social work services for children, young people and families across Child in Need, Child Protection, Public Law Outline and wider Family Help pathways.
As Service Leader you will:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Central Family Help teams.
- Lead and inspire Team Leaders and practitioners to deliver outstanding outcomes.
- Champion relationship-based, strengths-led and trauma-informed practice.
- Drive quality assurance, performance and continuous improvement.
- Build strong partnerships across education, health, police, housing and community organisations.
- Help shape and embed Portsmouth's Family Help Model across the city.
The Ideal candidate will bring:
- A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- Significant leadership experience within children's social care services.
- A strong understanding of safeguarding, statutory practice and service improvement.
- The ability to lead through change and inspire others to achieve excellence.
- Experience of partnership working and developing integrated services.
Please ensure that you download and read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.
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.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please email: Adam Shepherd - adam.shepherd@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or Karolyn Lake - Karolyn.lake@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Working arrangements - The expectation is that role is primarily office based
Interview date - 22nd September 2026
Application process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.
We strongly encourage candidates to add all Career and Education History to their application, as CVs are not reviewed as part of the shortlisting process.
As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.
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. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. 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
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.
