Social Work Team Manager (Later Life)

Manchester City Council; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Essential Car User Allowance

Job summary

Manchester City Council is seeking a Team Manager to lead a growing mental health and social care service. This role shapes practice, supports practitioners, and drives strengths-based approaches to improve outcomes for people experiencing mental distress.

A transformative period will require collaborative leadership across health, housing, and voluntary sectors. You will oversee clinical governance, ensure high-quality supervision, and foster workforce development while delivering

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualifying experience in adult social care and/or mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and supervision to social work practitioners within the Mental Health service.

Skills

Post-qualifying experience

Leading and supervising

Risk and safeguarding

Complex casework management

Education

Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England

Job description

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

Working Style: Hybrid - Employees split their time between working remotely (e.g., from home) and working on-site (e.g., in an office).

Additional Payments: Essential Car User Allowance

Closing Date: 11.59pm, 9 October 2026

Interview Method: Face to Face

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This Role is Subject to:

• Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment
• Qualification: Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England
• 2 References: Where possible we require 3 years' history
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Clearance: This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
• Medical Clearance: Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)
• Essential Car Documentation: This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance.

  There has never been a more exciting time to join Manchester's Adult Social Care Mental Health Service. We are undertaking a major transformation as mental health social care services transfer back into the Council, creating opportunities to redefine how social work supports people experiencing mental distress.

  As a Team Manager, you will play a key leadership role in shaping a growing service, supporting practitioners to deliver outstanding strengths-based practice, and driving improvements that help Manchester residents live well, stay connected to their communities and achieve the outcomes that matter to them. This is an opportunity to influence change, develop a confident social work workforce and leave a lasting legacy for mental health social care in Manchester.

About the Candidate

We would love to hear from you if you are a passionate and experienced social work leader who is committed to delivering high-quality, strengths-based support for people experiencing mental distress. You will be able to inspire and support practitioners, promote excellent social work practice, and work collaboratively with partners across health, housing, voluntary sector and community services to improve outcomes for Manchester residents.

Essential requirements for the role

Candidates must have:

• Significant post-qualifying experience in adult social care and/or mental health services.
• Experience of leading, supervising and developing social work practitioners
• Sound knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended), Mental Capacity Act 2005 and safeguarding adults legislation.
• Experience of managing complex casework, risk, safeguarding enquiries and statutory social care interventions

Desirable requirements that would be useful in this role

The following would be advantageous but are not essential

• Experience of working within Community Mental Health Teams or integrated health and social care services.
• Experience of leading mental health social work practice, including Care Act, safeguarding and Mental Health Act functions.
• Knowledge of strengths-based, trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches.
• Experience of service transformation, organisational change or integration programmes.
• Practice Educator, AMHP or Best Interests Assessor qualification.
• Experience of working collaboratively with NHS partners, voluntary and community organisations.
• Experience of coaching and developing aspiring leaders.
• Understanding of the social determinants of mental health and a commitment to reducing inequalities.

Closing statement

We are looking for an authentic and values-led leader who is passionate about social work and committed to helping shape the future of mental health social care in Manchester. You will support a dedicated team through an exciting period of transformation, ensuring people receive person-centred, strengths-based support whilst helping us build a confident, skilled and ambitious workforce.

About Us

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city that leads change and improves lives. Whether you're supporting communities or improving public services, you'll help create opportunities and shape a better future for everyone

Benefits we offer

• Up to 26 days' annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years' service
• Buy up to two extra weeks' leave
• Up to 3 days' volunteering leave
• A 35-hour work week for full-time roles
• We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
• The UK's largest local government pension scheme
• Enhanced parental and carers leave
• Employee discounts and perksGood Employment Charter member

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

Manchester City Council values equality and works to provide a fair and inclusive environment for a workforce that is as diverse as the communities it serves. We want to further increase the diversity of our workforce, in particular the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and disabled staff at all levels of the Council. This advert is open to all applicants, and we would particularly welcome applications from candidates identifying with one or both of those characteristics.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long‑term condition
• Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?

When You Join Us

We're a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we'll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

GM Elevate Programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate( Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Accessible Formats

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