Principal Manager- Mental Health Team

Halton Borough Council; Widnes; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking a Principal Manager for their Mental Health Service. The role involves managing the delivery of social care services and supervising a dedicated team. Candidates should have experience in mental health management. The position offers a salary range of £51,356 – £54,495 per year, along with attractive benefits including a generous holiday allowance and pension scheme.

Benefits

34 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Employee benefits platform

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing social care services.
• Understanding of mental health legislation and practice.
• Ability to motivate and supervise a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop delivery of social care services.
• Lead, motivate, and supervise a team.
• Ensure quality, cost-effective service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Mental health knowledge

Education

Qualified mental health professional

Job description

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Our Story

Halton is a vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, featuring two iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as close proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports.

Our progressive community strategy aims to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance lives. It’s an exciting time to join us as we develop new policies and transform the way people access services.

We are immensely proud that when asked what’s great about working for Halton, the most popular response from our workforce has been ‘our colleagues’.

Our Team

The mental health social work service provides assessment and support to anyone aged 18 and over who is experiencing difficulties with their mental health which is impacting on their abilities to function fully within their everyday lives. They enable people to manage the social factors in their lives‑like relationships, housing, and employment‑that allow them to get well and stay well. They aim to build resilience in individuals, their networks, and their communities.

The Later Life and Memory Service (LLAMS) sits within this team. They work with adults with an existing diagnosis of dementia once the LLAMS team is involved where needs and risks have become more complex. The mental health service works closely with health professionals to support individuals under both primary and secondary care.

The Local Authority also has a statutory responsibility to provide an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHPs) role. This role requires qualified professionals to implement elements of the Mental Health Act 1983, as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007. The AMHP service is managed from within the mental health service, however qualified professionals from within other teams can become and practice as AMHPs once qualified.

Hours

37 per week

Your Contributions

As the Principal Manager of the Mental Health Service, you will manage and develop the delivery of social care services to a defined area of service by organising, leading, motivating and ensuring the supervision of the team and evidencing improved outcomes. You will ensure the delivery and operation of a range of high quality, cost effective services to meet individual need. You will use the performance management systems within the team and ensure the achievement of performance targets. You will also contribute to the Directorate and corporate development agenda.

Our Offer

Aside from working with a great team, our employees have access to a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• A generous annual holiday allowance starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service with the option to purchase an additional four‑days of unpaid leave for our Annual Christmas Closedown
• Membership of our defined benefit, salary‑linked Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions
• 3 x Salary Life Cover via Local Government Pension Scheme
• Investment in your personal development
• Free Car Parking at HBC sites
• Flexible working arrangements
• Extensive employee benefits platform including discounted shopping, car leasing, gym memberships, wellbeing hub and Employee Assistance Programme.

Next Steps

At Halton Borough Council, we want all of our candidates to feel well‑informed so if you would like to have an informal chat about this role, please contact Steve Westhead, Head of Service for Independent Living and Mental Health on 0151 511 8513.

Interviews will take place on 12/12/2025.

At Halton Borough Council we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce and a vital part of this is to encourage diversity in all respects. We are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier‑free and tailored to best suit the needs and strengths of the individual. This includes making adjustments for people with a disability, neurodiversity or with long‑term health conditions. If you require accommodations, please reach out during the recruitment process so that we can make this the best possible experience for you – [e-mail].

Please refer to the attached Job Profile for further information about the role and our values.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If you’re interested, please complete your application as early as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Salary range

• £51,356 – £54,495 per year