Positive Approaches Practitioner in Manchester

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Style: Hybrid - Employees split their time between working remotely (e.g., from home) and working on-site (e.g., in an office).

Closing Date: 22 September 2026

Interview Method: In Person

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This Role is Subject to:

• Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• Medical Clearance: Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)
• 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.

Evidence of conduct in previous employment concerned with the provision of services relating to Health or social care or Children or vulnerable adults.

Proof of identity including a recent photograph.

Full Employment history.

Manchester City Council and the NHS are working in partnership in Manchester and Trafford to design and deliver health and care services that help people lead healthier lives. The Manchester Local Care Organisation (‘the LCO’) has been established to bring community health and social care professionals together in the same organisations, working to a shared vision for better health and care services delivering better health outcomes for people.

This role will be located within Adult Social Care’s (ASC) Provider Services i.e., the Disability Supported Accommodation Service (DSAS), Day Services, Short Breaks and Shared Lives. These services provide person-centred support to over 400 people with a learning disability and autism and/or a physical disability. The service’s key objectives are to enable people, whose needs range from requiring a low to complex response, to live as independent lives as possible.

Although located within Provider Services the expectation is that the role will develop relationships and aligned delivery with key services such as Preparation for Adulthood and Transitions, Learning Disability Social Work and Community Health Learning Disability Services.

In 2023 ASC launched an ambitious transformation programme for its learning disability and autism services. A key element of this transformation is the development and embedding of a workforce model that provides specialist training, knowledge and education to ensure people are receiving the best possible support.

This role holder will be the practitioner directly working with the workforce to develop and embed a practice model that promotes cultural change to create a flexible, highly skilled and sustainable workforce. A workforce that can directly meet the needs of people with a learning disability and/or autism through the provision of a strengths-based and outcomes focused approach.

The role holder will coach and train the workforce under the direction of the Positive Approaches Lead to be responsive to people’s needs including the ability to understand and deliver interventions to support people presenting distressed behaviours. The role holder will complete direct delivery of interventions with staff and citizens.

About the Candidate

Do you have an enthusiasm for engaging individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism in planning their own futures? We are looking for someone with experience in working with individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism and distressed behaviours. The roleholder will work collaboratively to reduce restrictive practices and coach and train staff to understand the principles and application of Positive Behaviour Support.

In order to apply for this role, you will need to have experience of carrying out behavioural and skills assessments and interventions. We are looking for dynamic, enthusiastic and creative individuals who can innovatively drive and embed change in a fast-paced multi-agency integrated health and social care environment. If you want to play a key role in the delivery of a fundamental change to Adult Social Care's learning disability and/or autism services to enable the best possible outcomes for the people of Manchester, we would like to hear from you!

The role holder will:

• Develop and embed a workforce practice model that provides specialist training, knowledge and education to ensure people are receiving the best possible support.
• Coach and train the workforce to be responsive to people’s needs including the ability to understand, develop and deliver interventions to support people presenting distressed behaviours. This includes the direct delivery of interventions where required.
• Develop and promote strategic and integrated collaboration through close working relationships with key partners to ensure people can access a broad range of provision that meet their needs and promotes their independence.
• Create a centre of excellence across Adult Social Care’s learning disability and autism services, aligned with key partners such as Health, the VCSE and the external care market.
• Ensure the inclusion of the voice of the people we support by co-producing, co-designing and consulting with experts by experience.
• Effectively manage safeguarding risks by working within a clear framework of accountability.
• Monitor the service delivery to respond to changing demands through the effective quality assurance and robust performance management.
• Demonstrate personal commitment to continuous self-development and service improvement.
• Ensure diversity is positively valued, resulting in equal access and treatment in employment, service delivery and communications.

Skills and qualifications:

• Proven experience and knowledge of working with people with a learning disability and autism including theoretical underpinning and experiential knowledge.
• Proven experience from direct practice and training in learning disability and autism interventions such as positive behavioural specialist, leadership, active support, total communication.
• Willingness to consent to and apply for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.
• Willingness to travel to any location within the boundaries of the city of Manchester.

About Us

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 newborn 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-rata 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 panel's 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 [email protected].

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 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.