At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team in providing care for women with complex needs.
- Company: Imagine Independence, a passionate organisation supporting mental health and learning disabilities.
- Benefits: Generous salary, 25 days leave, pension scheme, and employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to meaningful living and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in health and social care, NVQ 3 preferred but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 27789 - 27789 £ per year.
Overview
Position: Female Senior Specialist Support Worker
Location: Salford, Greater Manchester
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full Time). Full time shifts are worked in blocks of 4 on 4 off: 2 days 8am-8pm, followed by 2 waking nights 8pm-8am. Shifts include weekends and bank holidays.
Salary and Benefits
Salary: £27,789.07 p.a.
Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays, employer’s contributory pension scheme, Employee Assistance Program, blue light scheme, and other generous benefits.
About Imagine Independence
Imagine Independence is a leading third sector organisation, passionate about supporting people with mental illness, neurodiversity, learning disabilities, and behaviours that challenge to live as part of their community. Imagine challenges the stigma that having a mental illness or learning disability still brings. Imagine supports people to live meaningfully by nurturing their individuality and recognising the power of small steps.
Role context
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated person, with life experience who aligns to Imagine\\\'s Values, to join Imagine\\\'s Specialist Service portfolio. Our service in Greater Manchester is a specialist gender-specific supported living setting for women with complex needs, who may have a diagnosis of Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizo-affective Disorder, who have experienced severe trauma, and have a prevalence for Self-Harm. The service is a psychologically trauma-informed, therapeutically driven environment offering a high level of relational security, allowing women to progress at their own pace towards sustained recovery. Our service is passionate about working with each woman to live in the community, improve independence, set and achieve personal goals, feel safe and live the lives that they want to live.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership, coaching, supervision and support to less experienced team members.
- Work in partnership with Service Managers, using the Hope and Recovery Model and Cognitive Analytic Therapy models of care and support.
- Support women from forensic or mental health services who have been discharged from secure services, as part of a team.
Qualifications and Experience
- NVQ 3 in Health & Social Care would be an advantage. Experience with working with women in a supported housing or community health setting is desirable.
- A willingness to engage with the extensive training program provided.
What we offer
- Development opportunities and exposure to well-coordinated multi-disciplinary team working.
- Opportunity to work in a well-resourced, supportive team environment.
Our values
- Meaningful Living
- Nurturing Individuality
- Focused Dedication
- Challenging Ideas
- Generous Sharing
These posts are open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational qualification under the Equality Act 2010.
How to apply
For details and to download an application form and job description, visit: https://www.imagineindependence.org.uk/work-with-us/current-vacancies/
Completed application forms should be returned by no later than the closing date/time either by email to recruitment@imagineindependence.org.uk or by post to the Hope Street address below.
Closing date for applications: 29/09/2025 (Monday)
Interviews held on: 16/10/2025 (Thursday)
An enhanced DBS will be required for this post.
Imagine aims to be an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.
Ref: 25/53 Female Senior Specialist Support Worker - Fielder Lodge, Greater Manchester in Salford employer: Imagine Independence
Imagine Independence is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Greater Manchester. With a strong focus on employee development, generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave, and a commitment to meaningful living, staff are empowered to make a real difference in the lives of women with complex needs. Join a passionate team that values individuality and offers opportunities for growth within a psychologically informed setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ref: 25/53 Female Senior Specialist Support Worker - Fielder Lodge, Greater Manchester in Salford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Imagine Independence.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Imagine Independence!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Imagine Independence, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Imagine Independence or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Ref: 25/53 Female Senior Specialist Support Worker - Fielder Lodge, Greater Manchester in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Imagine Independence:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Imagine Independence! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imagine Independence
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
