Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Additional Payments: Casual Car User Allowance
Closing Date: 8 May2025
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: In Person
This Role is Subject to:Qualification - Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England
Casual Car Documentation -The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.
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.2 References - Where possible we require 3 years' employment history.
Manchester is a diverse and exciting city. Around 200 different languages are spoken here, higher than any other city in the UK, making Manchester one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world - a truly global city. Manchester is a hub for business, politics, sports, the arts, and has a proud history of inclusion, innovation, and creativity.
Each year, Manchester welcomes 40,000 students from 160 countries and attracts more (day) tourists than any other UK city apart from London. Manchester is a place of opportunity, and we have ambitious plans for making the city a great place to live, work and enjoy, with an aspiration for equality and equity for all.
At an organisational level, Manchester City Council ASC is committed to developing and retaining its workforce. We have clear guidelines around reflective supervision, and CPD and reflective practice - supporting workers to be the best that they can be with a strong focus on well-being and resilience.
Manchester has transformed the way in which Manchester services are delivered over the past 4 years and continues to improve and develop through it's "Achieving Better Outcomes transformation plan" which has significant programme and project management support.
We have developed a social work career pathway where developing the skills of social workers and Managers is one of our priorities. We are investing in research and emerging best practice models in partnership as part of our integration agenda. We have developed Communities of Practice and various forums to share information and good practice across services and teams. We have an active ASC BAME forum which provides a safe space and support for our BAME staff.
We have a vacancy for a grade 12, Social Work qualified Service Manager, accountable to the Assistant Director, heading up our city-wide complex needs services, responsible for substance misuse, entrenched rough sleeping team, sensory team, out of hours social work service, no recourse to public funds, direct payments services and preparations for adulthood teams (including transitional safeguarding). We have started on an innovative improvement journey and would like to hear from dynamic, and supportive people, who can think creatively and bring people along a journey of co-produced transformation, supporting the GM developments in improving outcomes for people with complex needs. The successful candidate will need strong leadership, collaboration, and engagement skills to further develop our complex needs offer. The issue of complexity in Manchester is growing and we need a demand led focus to ensure we create the conditions for success, better outcomes, and better lives for our citizens.
In Manchester, we work together and trust one another. We take time to listen and understand. We own it and aren't afraid to try new things. We are proud and passionate about Manchester.
For an informal discussion please contact Tracy Cullen (Assistant Director) tracy.cullen@manchester.gov.uk and Rioja Burchall (Personal Assistant) rioja.burchall@manchester.gov.uk.
The candidate will need to be a qualified social worker with a few years management experience at team manager level. They will need to be approachable, solution focused, person centred and have sound experience in risk assessment and risk management.
The candidate will be responsible for many teams so will need to be adaptable and have the ability to learn about new services and ability to engage with partner agencies to support service delivery.
The candidate will need to have strong communication skills and be able to develop and present work at board level.
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits we offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
- Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
- Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
- Current or former care leavers
- Have a disability or long-term condition
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.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.
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.
Pre-Employment Checks
If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:
- Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
- References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
- Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
- Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.
These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.
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.
For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
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