Team Leader - Children with Disabilities (CWD) - Portsmouth

We are seeking a Team Leader – Children with Disabilities (CWD) to provide operational leadership for a multi‑disciplinary 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.

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.

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 will be:

• 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’ll 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

Please ensure that you download and read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention to the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.

Working arrangements: We offer Hybrid working, there is a requirement to work in the office 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 Gill Noble.

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. You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. 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.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

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.

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.