Think you know what it’s like to be a social worker in Manchester?
Apply for one of our social work posts now
We’re shaking off an outdated reputation. Ofsted recently witnessed the ‘considerable’ improvements we’ve made over the past few years. Come see for yourself how we’ve moved on massively thanks to staff feedback, and be a part of the change as we get even better.
Our social workers care about vulnerable children and families, and we care about them:
- Pay has increased and there’s a £2,000 payment after 2 years (for some roles. Conditions apply). Recommend Manchester to a fellow social worker and if they end up working for us, you could both earn a £200 bonus via the Refer-A-Friend Scheme (conditions apply.)
- Genuine flexible working: family-friendly patterns such as part-time and flexible start/finish times supported wherever possible, with technology to facilitate working from home.
- Protected time for your wellbeing. And a programme of events and activities created especially for social workers, to help you feel good.
- A 35-hour working week
- 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after five years) and the option to buy an additional 10 days on top of that, via salary sacrifice.
- Encouragement to take your TOIL back – we mean it. And our Thank You Friday Scheme means you and your workmates get a Friday off every 5-6 weeks - our acknowledgment of the important work you do.
- Caseloads: they’re going down, they’re manageable, varied and appropriate to your role.
- Free parking where you work – plus car mileage.
- Support, 1 to 1, group and reflective supervision is there for you.
- Management is ‘strong’ and ‘effective’ (Ofsted).
- Career development is geared to promote you – to the top.
- Relocation support, including a lump sum of up to £9,230 (conditions apply)
- MCR+ discount scheme: save on gym membership, meals and days out.
- Employee Assistance Programme, to support you through difficult times, with things like free counselling, financial or legal advice.
- Annual Awards for Excellence: a great night out and our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our amazing staff.
It all adds up to an exciting package.
We’ve improved our interview process too - You’ll get a quick response to your application and we have regular interview days online. We have ‘meet the team’ sessions for successful candidates, to help you feel comfortable and ‘at home’ in your new team, from your very first day. (Whilst we’re social distancing you can watch a ‘meet the team’ video instead.)
We’re getting better all the time
Our massive recruitment drive is just the latest proof that Manchester reveres its experienced social workers as experts.
We’re taking further our re-invention of the social work ‘front door’ in Manchester, replacing paper referrals with conversations and calls with partners.
The new conversations you’ll be having will mean there’s no wrong door: children and families getting the right service at the right time – whether that’s family support, early help or social work intervention.
So our social workers can focus on children at greatest risk, giving a better service and protection.
And these conversations will give our fellow professionals a better experience too.
How we work
Signs of Safety: is our underpinning approach throughout Children’s Services. It supports us to work safely, effectively and efficiently to build a future for our children where they are safe, happy, healthy and successful. We already have over 100 practice leads across the service.
Assessed Supported Year in Employment (ASYE): 100 newly qualified social workers are on the programme.
National Assessment and Accreditation System (NAAS): The DfE programme for social workers to become accredited as a child and family practitioner in social work is working well here – 70 social workers have taken the assessment.
ILM-endorsed programme ‘Our Manchester, Our Children, Our Leaders’: all team managers in Children’s Services have taken this bespoke programme for children’s social care staff.
Systemic case record auditing: We’ve established the baseline for this programme of engagement with managers, and the development plan is in place.
Practice Education Programme: We have 74 Practice Educators for Social Work in Children’s Services, available to take social work students. 36 local university students have had placements in Children's Services over the last 12 months – undergrad and postgraduate.
Safe & Together: Manchester Children's Social Care have been practising the Safe & Together model since 2017, promoting the best interest of children focusing on safety, permanency and wellbeing and strengthening understanding of how perpetrators create harm, or the risk of harm, to children.
We listen
Our most recent social worker “health check” showed that 93.6% of social workers in the service felt that the work was matched to their skills, abilities and interests.
Staff said they wanted more development:
- We’ve launched the career progression pathway to support professional and career progression.
- National Assessment and Accreditation System (NAAS). Manchester Children’s Services is leading the way nationally with 70 Social Workers on the programme.
- ILM-endorsed “Our Manchester, Our Children, Our Leaders” programme – all Team Managers are either undergoing or have completed the programme.
- In March 2019, 11 staff started Social Work Degree Apprenticeships. We are one of the first organisations in the country to run the programme.
- We’ve reviewed and improved the Assessed Supported Year Employment (ASYE) Programme – 100 newly qualified social workers have been on the programme.
- Our Children’s Workforce Shared Learning Page a Google+ platform to share all learning across the directorate and connect with other professionals.
We encourage work-life balance
We want our social workers to have enough time to relax, spend time with family and friends, and feel good, so that they can do their best at work.
Don’t take our word for it though. Hear from one of your potential new colleagues, Grace, about what it’s like to work here
Why work for Manchester?
Manchester was named the best UK city to live in by The Economist’s Global Liveability Index in 2018, based on factors including crime rates, education, and access to healthcare. That’s 13 places ahead of London. It is notable for its architecture, culture, musical exports, media links, scientific and engineering output, social impact, sports clubs and transport connections. Don’t believe what you hear about the city’s weather either! The city’s average annual rainfall is 31.76 in compared to the UK average of 44.29.
Excellent transport connectivity and top cultural attractions combine to make this a great city to live in. Improvements in healthcare and education, as well as attractive qualities such as our thriving night-time economy and sports offering, continue to attract people from around the world to live, work and study here. We’d love you to be part of it.
And if you’re relocating to Manchester for a social work role you may be entitled to a relocation package up to £9,230 (conditions apply).
