Think you know what it’s like to be a social worker in Manchester?
We’re shaking off an outdated reputation.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:
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.)
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.
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.
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 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
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).