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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team supporting children with disabilities and their families.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to family-centred support.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional development, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture focused on learning and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while shaping innovative practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children's services and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.
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.
Team Leader - CWD in London employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader - CWD in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Portsmouth City Council on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Team Leader role. Personal connections can give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the Portsmouth Model of Family Practice. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their values of relational and strengths-based practice. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but a perfect match for their culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you’ve supported teams in the past. The more comfortable you are talking about your experiences, the more confident you'll be during the real deal.
✨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 you’re serious about joining the team and making a difference in the lives of children and families in Portsmouth.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Leader - CWD in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Team Leader role. Highlight your experience in children's services and how it aligns with our values at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you’ve led teams before! Share examples of how you've provided support, supervision, and guidance to others, especially in complex situations related to disabilities.
Emphasise Relational Practice: Since relationships are key in our work, demonstrate your understanding of relational, strengths-based practice. Talk about how you’ve built connections with families and colleagues in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Children Act, Working Together, and the SEND Code of Practice. Brush up on the specific safeguarding needs of disabled children, as this will show your commitment to the role and your understanding of the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your approach to leading a multidisciplinary team. Think about examples where you've provided reflective supervision or coaching, and how you’ve supported staff wellbeing and development. This is your chance to demonstrate your values-led leadership.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Since relationships are key in Portsmouth, be ready to talk about how you build and maintain strong connections with families, colleagues, and other agencies. Share specific instances where your relational practice has led to positive outcomes for children and families.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making skills and risk management abilities. Prepare for hypothetical scenarios related to complex casework and multi-agency meetings, and think through how you would handle them while ensuring compliance and safety.