Job Introduction
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Team Leaders to provide operational leadership within our Family Help service and help drive excellent outcomes for children and families.
Why work in Family Help in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth is entering a significant and exciting phase in how we support children, young people and families. As Family Help becomes central to our system, we are strengthening our workforce so that practice remains relational, purposeful and sustainable.
This is not about short term restructuring. It is about investing in people, strengthening practice and creating the conditions where good work can thrive.
People who work in Portsmouth consistently tell us that relationships matter here – with families, with colleagues and with leaders.
Family Help in Portsmouth means:
• working with families using high support and high challenge
• intervening earlier to create meaningful change
• building on family and community networks through Family Group Decision Making
• having the time, space and support to practise reflectively
We are clear about our Portsmouth Model of Family Practice and invest in helping staff apply it well, through reflective supervision, protected learning time and accessible professional developmen
Family Help removes traditional boundaries between early help and statutory services, making it easier for families to access the right support at the right time.
Our approach is rooted in:
- A whole-family approach
- Single assessment and planning
- Evidence-based, relational interventions
- Family-led planning and decision-making
- Strong multi-agency collaboration
About the Role
As Team Leader – Family Help, you will:
- Provide day-to-day leadership to a team of Social Workers and Family Help Lead Practitioners
- Ensure high-quality, safe and proportionate practice across early help, Child in Need and safeguarding work
- Offer reflective supervision, coaching and mentoring to support professional development
- Lead on risk management, decision-making and case progression
- Drive continuous improvement, quality assurance and inspection readiness
- Champion restorative, strengths-based and child-centred practice
- Work collaboratively with partners across education, health, police and the voluntary sector
This is a key leadership role in our service transformation journey, supporting the embedding of Family Help and Family Safeguarding approaches across Portsmouth.
The ideal candidate
You will be:
- A qualified and registered Social Worker with substantial post-qualifying experience in Children’s Services
- An experienced manager with confidence in supervising and leading staff
- Skilled in safeguarding, risk assessment and statutory decision-making
- Knowledgeable in the Children Act, Working Together guidance, SEND Code of Practice and early intervention principles
- Passionate about restorative, relational and trauma-informed practice
- Committed to equality, anti-discriminatory practice and staff wellbeing
- Organised, resilient and able to manage pressure in a complex, fast-paced environment
Why Join Portsmouth City Council?
- Be part of a service that puts families at the centre of everything we do
- Work within a supportive, learning-focused culture
- Access excellent professional development and leadership support
- Competitive salary and market supplement
- Make a real and lasting difference to children and families in the city
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.
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 Karolyn Lake - karolyn.lake@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or Vicky Williams - vicky.williams@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Interview date - Friday 5th June 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.
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.
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.
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.
