Senior Social Worker | Localities Service | Manchester City Council
£37 per hour (Umbrella) | Hybrid working 
 

What you’ll be doing

Manchester City Council’s Localities Service is looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker to manage a complex statutory caseload and provide strong practice leadership day-to-day. This is a frontline role where you’ll balance direct work with families, high-quality assessment and planning, and confident multi-agency decision-making to secure safe, timely outcomes for children.

About the role

You’ll support children and families across locality-based statutory work, holding cases that may include CIN, CP and elements of court / pre-proceedings, depending on service need. As a Senior, you’ll be expected to model strong standards, drive purposeful plans, and support colleagues through advice, reflective discussion and oversight where appropriate.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a complex statutory caseload across locality work (CIN/CP and related planning)
• Complete high-quality assessments, plans and reviews, keeping drift to a minimum
• Lead on risk assessment, safety planning and timely decision-making
• Prepare clear written work including reports for conferences, court-related work where required, and case recording
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency forums including strategy discussions, core groups and other key meetings
• Chair and/or lead relevant meetings where needed to progress plans
• Deliver purposeful direct work with children and families, ensuring the child’s voice is central
• Support and guide less experienced staff through practice leadership, sharing practice wisdom and constructive challenge
• Maintain oversight of case progression, compliance and timescales to support service performance

Benefits

• Competitive £37/hr umbrella rate
• Locality-based service with varied, meaningful statutory work
• Opportunity to operate in a true Senior capacity: modelling standards, supporting others, and influencing outcomes
• Hybrid working available (subject to service needs, visits and meetings)

Requirements

• Social Work England registration
• Significant post-qualifying experience in statutory Children’s Services
• Confidence working across CIN/CP and managing complex risk
• Strong written skills and ability to produce clear, timely reports and recording
• Confident chairing / leading meetings and driving multi-agency plans forward
• Ability to provide day-to-day practice support and professional curiosity within the team

Interested?

Contact Emily Cooper - 07745 200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com

Referral Bonus: Know someone suitable? Successful referrals can earn up to £500.