Job Introduction
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:
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A whole‑family approach
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A single assessment and plan
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A dedicated Family Help Lead Practitioner
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Evidence‑based, relational interventions
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Family‑led planning and co‑production
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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
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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
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Lead system integration and service transformation aligned with national reform agendas
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Ensure high‑quality, proportionate, and timely interventions that meet need, reduce risk and build family resilience
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Provide strategic oversight of the MASH, ensuring effective multi agency working, consistent and considered decision‑making, and effective risk management
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Drive continuous quality assurance and practice improvement using audit, learning reviews, lived experience, and inspection findings
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Lead and support senior managers and multi‑disciplinary teams, building workforce capability, stability, and confidence
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Manage performance, budgets, and commissioning arrangements
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Represent the local authority at strategic boards and support and enable strong multi‑agency partnerships
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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:
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A recognised social work qualification and current professional registration
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Significant senior leadership experience within children’s services
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Extensive knowledge of key legislation and frameworks, including:
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Children Act 1989/2004
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Working Together to Safeguard Children
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SEND Code of Practice
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Family Help and national children’s social care reforms
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Experience leading large, complex, multi‑disciplinary services and portfolios
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Strong strategic planning, transformation, and financial management skills
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Experience working effectively with senior partners across complex systems
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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.
Please ensure that you download and read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.
Working arrangements:
The expectation is that 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 - [email protected]
Interview details:
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. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.
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
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.
More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal.
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. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Why Join Portsmouth City Council?
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Be part of a service that puts families at the centre of everything we do
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Work within a supportive, learning-focused culture
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Access excellent professional development and leadership support
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Competitive salary
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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 [email protected] or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
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.
