Neurodivergent Lead

Salford Council; Swinton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Salford City Council is recruiting a Neurodivergent Lead in Adult Social Care to provide specialist practice leadership for neurodivergent adults, including those with autism, ADHD and learning difficulties. The role combines direct social work with service development, training and consultation across teams and partners.

The post focuses on improving outcomes, supporting rights-based practice, and influencing commissioning and service design to be inclusive and accessible for neurodivergent

Qualifications

• Has in depth experience of working with neurodivergent adults.
• Strong knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Equality Act 2010.
• Demonstrates empathy, integrity and commitment to social justice and inclusion.
• Confident working in complex, multi-agency environments.
• Advanced communication skills; adaptable to diverse needs.
• Able to influence, support and challenge practice through consultation and training.
• Motivated by innovation; brings energy to learning and improvement.

Responsibilities

• Hold a direct, complex caseload of neurodivergent adults and supervise frontline staff.
• Promote strengths-based, person-centred and anti-oppressive practice across Adult Social Care.
• Provide expert advice, consultation and guidance to colleagues.
• Develop and deliver training, guidance and resources to improve understanding and practice across services.
• Undertake statutory duties under the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act; support positive risk taking.
• Work with partners across children’s services, health, housing and policing to ensure coordinated support.
• Contribute to service development and quality improvement through research and innovation.

Skills

Neurodivergent experience

Multi-agency collaboration

Advanced communication

Mentoring & training

Influencing practice

Job description

Neurodivergent Lead Adult Social Care Grade 5A (scp 43-45) Location: Salford Civic Centre

Join us at an exciting time for Adult Social Care in Salford Salford City Council is continuing to strengthen and evolve its Adult Social Care services, with a clear commitment to inclusion, innovation and person centred practice. As part of this, we are creating a specialist role that will play a pivotal part in improving outcomes for neurodivergent adults across the city. This is a unique opportunity to work in a forward thinking service that values professional expertise, partnership working and creative approaches to support.

We are recruiting a Neurodivergent Lead to provide specialist practice leadership and direct support to neurodivergent adults, including people with autism, ADHD and learning difficulties. The role will also support future strategic intentions. This is a highly impactful role, combining direct social work practice with service development, training and consultation. You will work across teams and with partner organisations and people to influence practice, challenge traditional models of care and help shape a more inclusive system that recognises and builds on the strengths of neurodivergent people.

About the role

• Hold a direct, complex caseload of neurodivergent adults, offering specialist interventions and advocacy that go beyond traditional models of support, whilst indirectly supervising front-line staff in their interventions with neurodivergent adults
• Promote strengths based, person centred and anti-oppressive practice across Adult Social Care
• Provide expert advice, consultation and guidance to colleagues working with neurodivergent people
• Develop and deliver training, guidance and resources to improve understanding and practice across services
• Undertake statutory duties under the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding legislation, using your specialist knowledge to support positive risk taking and rights based practice
• Work closely with partners with a focus on prevention across children’s services, health, housing, the voluntary sector, public health, the police and commissioning to ensure coordinated, multidisciplinary support
• Contribute to service development, gathering intelligence to enhance quality improvement, research and innovation in line with local and national priorities

You will play a key role in shaping how Adult Social Care responses to neurodivergence, ensuring services are accessible, legally compliant and focused on meaningful outcomes.

What we’re looking for

• Has in depth experience of working with neurodivergent adults
• Brings strong knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Equality Act 2010
• Demonstrates empathy, integrity and a strong commitment to social justice and inclusion
• Is confident working in complex, multi-agency environments
• Has advanced communication skills and can adapt approaches to meet diverse communication and sensory needs
• Can influence, support and challenge practice through consultation, mentoring and training
• Is motivated by innovation, bringing energy to learning and to continuous improvement

You will be reflective, resilient and comfortable working at pace, balancing statutory responsibilities with creativity and compassion.

About the interview:

The interview process has been co-produced with neurodivergent people to ensure it is inclusive, accessible, and reflective of diverse perspectives.

The interview will consist of three short panel discussions. Each panel will include a combination of an Adult Social Care Senior Manager, Experts by Experience, and representatives from commissioned services. Candidates will rotate between the panels, discussing a specific topic at each one.

Details of the interview topics will be provided following a successful application and invitation to interview.

This vacancy will remain open for up to one month; however, we reserve the right to close the advert early.

Interviews are scheduled to take place on the7th October 2026. Due to the coordination required to support the participation of Experts by Experience and representatives from commissioned service providers, we are unfortunately unable to offer alternative interview dates.

Why Salford?

• Being part of a service that genuinely values inclusion, lived experience and specialist expertise
• Having the opportunity to influence practice and service design at a systems level
• Working in a supportive environment with a strong emphasis on learning, development and collaboration
• Making a tangible difference to the lives of neurodivergent adults in Salford

We recognise the demands of specialist social work roles and are committed to providing high support alongside high challenge.

Please be aware that this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crimi