At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform Family Help services for children and families in Portsmouth.
- 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 well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families' lives while leading innovative social care initiatives.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification, senior leadership experience, and knowledge of children's services legislation.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ 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 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 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, multidisciplinary 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.
Interviews will be held on Monday 22nd June 2026.
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, however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.
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 - 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. 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 the community. The council's commitment to core values such as respect, integrity, and collaboration ensures a culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service, Family Help and Partnerships - Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector, especially those who might know about the Head of Service role. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the Family Help Service's principles. Show us you understand the whole-family approach and how it aligns with the local authority's goals. We love candidates who can connect the dots!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t just recite rehearsed lines. Be yourself and let your passion for social care come across!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role and appreciate the opportunity to chat.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service, Family Help and Partnerships - Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Profile Carefully:Before you start your application, make sure to download and read the full job profile. It’s packed with 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 Strong Personal Statement:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Use it to demonstrate how your experience aligns with the key requirements of the role. Be specific and use examples from your work or personal life that showcase your skills and qualifications.
Be Authentic and Relational:We value authenticity and relational approaches. When writing your application, let your personality come through. Share your passion for social care and how you connect with families and communities. We want to see the real you!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the necessary forms and information right there, making the process smoother for 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 Working Together to Safeguard Children. Brush up on your knowledge of Family Help and how it integrates with other services, 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 multidisciplinary teams or driven system transformation. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can lead through complexity and ambiguity.
✨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 organisations like NHS Trusts or local authorities to achieve common goals.
✨Be Person-Centred
Remember, this role is all about families and children. Prepare to talk about how you’ve implemented relational, strengths-based, and trauma-informed practices in your previous roles. Show that you understand the importance of a whole-family approach and how it impacts service delivery.
