We are seeking a Team Leader – Children with Disabilities (CWD) to provide operational leadership for a multidisciplinary team of social workers and an occupational therapist. This is a new and unique role, offering the opportunity to shape practice, support staff, and improve outcomes for children and young people with disabilities and their 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.
Practice that is relational, purposeful and supported
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 development.
About the Team Leader Role
In this role you will:
- Lead and support a specialist CWD team to deliver high quality early help and statutory interventions
- Provide reflective supervision, coaching and practice guidance
- Ensure safe decision making, effective risk management and statutory compliance
- Embed relational, strengths‑based practice aligned with Family Help and Family Safeguarding
- Drive service improvement, inspection readiness and excellent outcomes for children
You will work closely with education, health, SEND services, adult services and the voluntary sector to ensure joined‑up, inclusive support and smooth transitions to adulthood.
Responsibilities include
- Providing day‑to‑day leadership and operational oversight
- Allocating and quality assuring complex casework
- Chairing and leading multi‑agency meetings
- Monitoring performance, quality and statutory timescales
- Supporting staff wellbeing, learning and development
- Leading audits, thematic reviews and improvement activity
- Championing the voice of the child and family‑led decision making
The ideal candidate
- A qualified and registered Social Worker with substantial post‑qualifying experience
- Experienced in children's services, disability and safeguarding practice
- Confident in providing reflective supervision and managing risk and complexity
- Knowledgeable about the Children Act, Working Together, SEND Code of Practice and the specific safeguarding needs of disabled children
- A values‑led leader who models restorative, relational and anti‑discriminatory practice
- Skilled in multi‑agency working, service development and supporting cultural change
You will also bring strong organisational, communication and analytical skills, a commitment to staff wellbeing, and a genuine passion for improving outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.
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
Working arrangements
We offer Hybrid working, with a requirement to work in the office a minimum of 3 days per week.
Required legal and safety information
- Right to Work in the UK – a must for all applicants.
- We are a disability‑confident employer and a gold‑standard for the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment; the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
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