At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform services for families, ensuring high-quality support and collaboration.
- Company: Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and community values.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives and shape family support services.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and significant leadership experience in children's services.
We are seeking a Head of Service Family Help and Partnerships to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Family Help Service and hold additional portfolios for our Integrated Front Door (MASH), Partnerships and Family Support.
Family Help is our way of working that brings together targeted early help and Child in Need support into a single, seamless offer. It replaces the traditional divide between early help and statutory services, making it easier for families to access support without stigma or duplication.
Key principles include:
- A whole‑family approach
- A single assessment and plan
- A dedicated Family Help Lead Practitioner
- Evidence‑based, relational interventions
- Family‑led planning and co‑production
- Timely support from the most appropriate professional
The Role
As Head of Service, you will ensure the delivery of high‑quality, relational early help and statutory social work services for children, young people, and families. You will lead system transformation, continuous practice improvement, partnership integration, and delivery of the local authority’s key priorities.
A significant element of the role includes leadership of the Partnerships and Family Support Service, acting as a strategic point of contact for key partners, including Solent NHS Trust, and overseeing services aligned with the Best Start in Life Strategy. This includes oversight of family hubs and parenting pathways, ensuring consistent, effective, and inclusive delivery.
As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will lead through Service Leaders and play a pivotal role in shaping a culture of safe decision‑making, co‑production, early intervention, and workforce development.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership across Family Help, MASH, Partnerships and Family Support, ensuring that we consistently provide outstanding services to the children and families of Portsmouth.
- Lead system integration and service transformation aligned with national reform agendas.
- Ensure high‑quality, proportionate, and timely interventions that meet need, reduce risk and build family resilience.
- Provide strategic oversight of the MASH, ensuring effective multi-agency working, consistent and considered decision‑making, and effective risk management.
- Drive continuous quality assurance and practice improvement using audit, learning reviews, lived experience, and inspection findings.
- Lead and support senior managers and multi‑disciplinary teams, building workforce capability, stability, and confidence.
- Manage performance, budgets, and commissioning arrangements.
- Represent the local authority at strategic boards and support and enable strong multi‑agency partnerships.
- Embed relational, strengths‑based, trauma‑informed practice across all services.
About You
You will be a credible, compassionate, and relational senior leader, confident in leading through complexity, ambiguity, and change. You will bring integrity, resilience, and a strong commitment to inclusion, co‑production, and rights‑based practice.
You will have:
- A recognised social work qualification and current professional registration.
- Significant senior leadership experience within children’s services.
- Extensive knowledge of key legislation and frameworks, including: Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, SEND Code of Practice, Family Help and national children’s social care reforms.
- Experience leading large, complex, multi‑disciplinary services and portfolios.
- Strong strategic planning, transformation, and financial management skills.
- Experience working effectively with senior partners across complex systems.
- A proven track record of inspection readiness and improvement (e.g. Ofsted, CQC, JTAI).
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We believe that a diverse workforce leads to better outcomes for the children, young people and families we serve and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve.
Working arrangements: The expectation is that the role is office based a minimum of 3 days per week.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Sam Bushby, Deputy Director.
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.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We believe that a diverse workforce leads to better outcomes for the children, young people and families we serve and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve.
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.
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.
- Make a real and lasting difference to children and families in the city.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact the recruitment team.
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. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Head of Service, Family Help and Partnerships employer: PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL-1
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive. With a strong focus on professional development and leadership support, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Portsmouth. The council's commitment to core values such as respect, integrity, and collaboration ensures a culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the community they serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service, Family Help and Partnerships
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the field of social work and family services. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet potential employers and showcase your passion for making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experience and how it aligns with the job description. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service, Family Help and Partnerships
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Profile Thoroughly:Before you start your application, make sure to download and read the full job profile. It’s packed with important details about what we’re looking for, especially in the 'Who is the Person' section. This will help you tailor your personal statement effectively.
Craft a Compelling Personal Statement:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase how your experience aligns with the role. Be specific and provide examples that demonstrate your skills and qualifications against the key points outlined in the job description.
Be Authentic and Relatable:We want to get to know the real you! Don’t be afraid to share your personal experiences and insights. Highlight your passion for family support and how your values align with ours at StudySmarter. Authenticity goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised during the selection process!
How to prepare for a job interview at PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL-1
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key legislation and frameworks mentioned in the job description, like the Children Act and the SEND Code of Practice. Brush up on your knowledge about Family Help and national children’s social care reforms, as this will show your commitment and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples that highlight your senior leadership experience within children’s services. Think about times when you’ve led complex, multi-disciplinary teams or driven system transformation. This will help demonstrate your capability to lead through ambiguity and change.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working with various partners, be ready to discuss your experience in building strong multi-agency partnerships. Share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with other organisations to achieve common goals, especially in a family support context.
✨Be Person-Centred
The job is all about putting families at the centre of everything. Prepare to talk about how you’ve implemented relational, strengths-based, and trauma-informed practices in your previous roles. This will show that you align with the organisation's values and are committed to making a real difference.
