Service Leader - Family

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:

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 - or Karolyn Lake -

Working arrangements - The expectation is that role is primarily office based

Interview date - 22nd September 2026

Application process

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