Job Introduction
We are seeking an experienced and motivated leader to join us as Service Leader for our Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
About the role
The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) plays a crucial role in safeguarding children by bringing together information from key partner agencies to support timely, informed and proportionate decision‑making at the front door of Children’s Services.
As Service Leader, you will have overall responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of the MASH. You will lead a well‑established multi‑disciplinary team and work closely with partners including Police, Health, Education and Early Help to ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing leadership and management oversight for the MASH, including team leaders, social workers, early help practitioners and coordinators
- Ensuring high‑quality information sharing, risk assessment and decision‑making to safeguard children
- Leading and contributing to multi‑agency forums including MARAC, MAPPA, MET, Channel Panel and Police daily management meetings
- Driving continuous improvement, performance management and quality assurance across the service
- Ensuring statutory duties are met in line with the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children and local procedures
- Supporting and developing managers and practitioners through supervision, coaching and professional challenge
- Promoting restorative, strengths‑based and “think family” practice, including embedding the Family Safeguarding Model
- Managing budgets, resources and workforce development to deliver safe and effective services
- Supporting inspection readiness and delivery of improvement plans following external scrutiny
The ideal candidate
You will be an experienced and confident leader with a strong track record in children’s social care and safeguarding. You will thrive in a complex, fast‑paced environment and be skilled in leading multi‑agency practice and partnership working.
You will need to demonstrate:
- A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
- Substantial experience in children’s services at both practitioner and management level
- Excellent knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and information‑sharing responsibilities
- Strong leadership, performance management and decision‑making skills
- Experience of leading and supporting multi‑disciplinary teams through change and improvement
- The ability to provide high support and high challenge to ensure best practice and positive outcomes for children and families
- Excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills
- A commitment to equality, anti‑discriminatory practice and professional curiosity
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.
Working arrangements
Expectation is that role is primarily office based
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
Provisional Interview date - Tuesday 12th May 2026
Application process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.
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.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
