Company: Portsmouth City Council
Location: Portsmouth
Posted: May 11th, 2026
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.
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:
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
Please download & read our Why work in Family Help in Portsmouth? below.
About the Team Leader Role
In this role you will:
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 :
The ideal candidate
You will be:
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?
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: 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 - gill.noble@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Interview date - Tuesday 2nd 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.
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. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk 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.