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, 18 September 2026
Interview Method: Face to Face   

This Role is Subject to:
  • 2 References
  • Qualification - Social Work  Qualification and registration with Social Work England
  • 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. 
  • 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.  

As a Senior Social Worker within Manchester's Preparing for Adulthood Team, you will play a key role in supporting young people with care and support needs as they transition from childhood into adulthood. Working with young people from age 16-18 onwards, you will help them and the people important to them to plan for the future and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.

The service supports young people with learning disabilities, neurodivergence, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and complex needs, working across children's and adults' services to ensure a seamless transition into adulthood.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and model excellent social work practice within a highly specialist service. You will manage complex cases, provide professional guidance and consultation to colleagues, support quality assurance and practice development, and promote strengths-based, person-centred and trauma-informed approaches that improve outcomes for young people and their families. You will work closely with education, health, children's services, housing, commissioning, providers and voluntary sector partners to develop creative solutions and overcome barriers to independence and inclusion.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will be instrumental in shaping practice within a service that continues to evolve and innovate. You will contribute to service development, support less experienced practitioners, champion safeguarding and positive risk-taking, and help embed high-quality social work that makes a lasting difference to the lives of young people as they move towards adulthood.
 The Preparing for Adulthood Service is unlike many traditional adult social work teams. Our work involves working across children's and adult services and focuses on possibilities, aspirations and helping young people build the lives they want as adults. You will be part of a supportive and ambitious management team, working alongside experienced practitioners, Person Centred Planners and partner agencies to develop innovative approaches to transition planning.
The service covers three specialist pathways: Living at Home, Leaving Care and Transitional Safeguarding, providing diverse opportunities for learning, development and career progression.
This is your opportunity to help shape the future of social work with young people at one of the most significant points in their lives. As a Senior Social Worker in our Preparing for Adulthood Team, you will:-
  • Lead on the most complex and high-risk cases, supporting young people with learning disabilities, neurodivergence, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and complex needs as they transition into adulthood.
  • Chair MDT meetings and Adult Safeguarding meetings.
  • Provide professional leadership, guidance and support to social workers, social care assessors and person centred planners promoting high-quality, strengths-based person-centred and trauma-informed practice.
  • Undertake complex assessments and care planning, applying legislative frameworks including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated statutory guidance.
  • Lead and contribute to Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interests decision-making processes, ensuring that individuals' rights, wishes and outcomes remain at the centre of all practice.
  • Provide expertise and consultation in relation to safeguarding adults, managing risk, complex family dynamics and multi-agency working.
  • Support and advise practitioners in relation to legislative frameworks affecting young people and adults with care and support needs.
  • Work collaboratively with health colleagues and wider partners to support Continuing Healthcare (CHC) assessments, reviews and decision-making processes where appropriate.
  • Work closely with education, health, children's services, housing, commissioning, providers and voluntary sector partners to ensure seamless transition planning and positive outcomes for young people and their families.
  • Contribute to service development, quality assurance and practice improvement activity, supporting the development of excellent social work practice across the service.
  • Act as a role model for professional practice, supporting colleagues with complex decision-making, reflective practice and professional development.
This is a pivotal role within Manchester's Preparing for Adulthood Service. As a Senior Social Worker, you will not only make a profound difference to the lives of individual young people and families, but will also play a key role in shaping the quality, culture and direction of the service itself.
   

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring managers, Veronica Trickey (veronica.trickey@manchester.gov.uk) or Sarah Marley (sarah.marley@manchester.gov.uk) to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.  

We are looking for an experienced and confident social worker who:
Is a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
Has a minimum of three years' post-qualifying social work experience working with adults with care and support needs.
Has substantial experience of undertaking Mental Capacity Assessments, leading Best Interests decisions, and applying the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Has experience of safeguarding adults, risk management and multi-agency working.
Has knowledge and practical experience of the legal frameworks that support the rights of people who may lack capacity.
Has experience of working with or alongside Continuing Healthcare (CHC) processes and multidisciplinary health colleagues.
Demonstrates excellent assessment, analytical and decision-making skills.
Is passionate about improving outcomes for young people and supporting them to achieve a successful transition into adulthood.
Can provide professional leadership and support to colleagues while championing strengths-based, person-centred practice. 
Essential requirements for the role: 

To be successful in this role, you will:

Is a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.

Have a minimum of three years' post-qualifying experience working with adults with care and support needs.

Demonstrate sound knowledge and practical application of relevant legislation and policy, including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, , Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998.

Have significant experience of undertaking Mental Capacity Assessments and leading or contributing to Best Interests decision-making.

Have experience of co-ordinating safeguarding concerns and undertaking safeguarding enquiries in partnership with other agencies.

Have experience of working with health professionals and contributing to Continuing Healthcare (CHC)assessments, reviews and multi-disciplinary decision-making.

Demonstrate the ability to manage highly complex casework, balancing risk, rights, professional judgement and person-centred outcomes.

Have experience of multi-agency working.

Possess excellent assessment, analytical, report-writing and communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and confidently in a range of settings.

Be able to provide professional guidance, support and leadership to colleagues, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality practice and continuous improvement.

Demonstrate a commitment to strengths-based, person-centred practice and promoting the rights, independence and aspirations of young people as they transition into adulthood.

Desirable requirements that would be useful in this role: 

Experience of working with people with learning disabilities, neurodivergence, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and complex needs.

Experience of working with young people between the ages of 16 and 25 in transition between children's and adult's services.

Knowledge of Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND code of practice.

Experience of partnership working with key stakeholders including health, education, children's services, housing, providers, carers and community organisations to achieve positive outcomes.

Experience of providing informal practice leadership, mentoring, coaching or specialist consultation to other social workers and professionals working with complex cases


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 during our annual leave purchase period. 
  • 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 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.

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, see the top of the advert for details.

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.
 
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. 
 
Calculate your take home pay. Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year.
 

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Location

, , Manchester, , United Kingdom

Job ID

8744

Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey

We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.

This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester

Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.

Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

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Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

Find out more

Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

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Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

Find out more

Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

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Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

Find out more

Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards

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Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards

Find out more

Your Pay, Your Benefits, Your Future

Explore easy‑to‑use tools that help you understand your take‑home pay and how different employment situations may affect the financial support available to you and your household.

  1. Calculate Your Take‑Home Pay

    Use this salary calculator to estimate your net pay after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.

    Estimate your Income Tax for the current year (Gov.uk)

  2. Check Your Benefits Entitlement

    See how changes in employment, hours or salary may affect your benefits and household income.

    Turn2us Benefits Calculator

Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice

Stay Safe When Applying

To protect yourself from recruitment scams, please only apply for roles through the official greater.jobs website and associated recruitment systems. We will never ask for your personal information outside of this process.