Team Leader - Children with Disabilities (CWD)
Job Reference: pcc/TP/659/1417
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Band 12, £52,412 to £56,759 per annum.
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Civic Offices
Closing Date: 22/05/2026
Job Category: Social Care Children
Region / Division: UK Region
Job Introduction
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.
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
* 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
* 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.
Right to Work: You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Equal Opportunities and EEO: Portsmouth City Council is a disability confident employer and meets the Armed Forces Covenant gold standard.
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.
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