At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform Family Help services for children and families in Portsmouth.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to supporting families and children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Office-based role with flexible working arrangements and a commitment to inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while leading impactful change.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification, senior leadership experience, and knowledge of children's services legislation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
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
- 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 multidisciplinary 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.
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.
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
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. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Locations
Head of Service, Family Help and Partnerships in Hampshire, Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive. As the Head of Service for Family Help and Partnerships, you will have access to excellent professional development opportunities and leadership support, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Portsmouth. Join us to be part of a transformative service that prioritises family-centred approaches and collaborative partnerships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service, Family Help and Partnerships in Hampshire, Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about opportunities at Portsmouth City Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Family Help Service and its key principles. Show us you understand the whole-family approach and how it aligns with the role of Head of Service. We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams through change or improved services. We want to hear about your experience with multi-agency partnerships and how you’ve driven transformation in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and making a real impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service, Family Help and Partnerships in Hampshire, Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Service role. Highlight your experience in leading family support services and how you align with our whole-family approach.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've successfully led teams through change and complexity, especially in children's services. This will help us understand how you can drive transformation at StudySmarter.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value integrity and compassion, so don’t hesitate to share your personal motivations for wanting to work with families and children in Portsmouth.
Apply Through Our Website:For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨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 recent reforms in children’s social care too, as this will show your commitment and understanding of the sector.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your senior leadership experience, especially in leading complex, multi-disciplinary services. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you navigated them, as this will 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 instances where you’ve successfully integrated services or improved collaboration, as this aligns with the role's focus on partnership integration.
✨Be Person-Centred
The Family Help approach is all about putting families at the centre. Prepare to talk about how you’ve implemented family-led planning and co-production in your previous roles. This will show that you understand the importance of relational, strengths-based practice.
