At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate Adult Social Care services for learning disabilities and sensory support.
- Company: Salford City Council, committed to high-quality, person-centred care.
- Benefits: Shape services, lead talented teams, and make a lasting impact.
- Other info: Join us in creating inclusive, innovative services that matter.
- Why this job: Drive positive change and improve lives in your community.
- Qualifications: Experienced leader with a track record in adult social care.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
Join us at an exciting time for Adult Social Care in Salford. Salford City Council is continuing to strengthen and evolve its Adult Social Care services, with a clear focus on delivering high-quality, person-centred support that enables residents to live healthy, fulfilling and independent lives. We are seeking an outstanding leader to join us as Head of Service for Learning Disability, Transition to Adulthood & Sensory Services. This is a pivotal role, responsible for leading a significant area of Adult Social Care and driving forward our ambition to deliver responsive, innovative and strengths-based services that achieve the best possible outcomes for people and their families.
This is an opportunity to shape the future of services across learning disability, transition and sensory support, providing strategic leadership while maintaining a strong focus on operational excellence. Working alongside senior leaders, partners and stakeholders across the city, you will play a key role in ensuring services remain high performing, financially sustainable and centred on the needs of the people we support.
About the role
As Head of Service, you will provide visible and inspiring leadership across a diverse portfolio of services, creating a culture where people feel supported, empowered and accountable for delivering excellent outcomes. You will lead service improvement, workforce development, quality assurance and performance, ensuring that services are well planned, well managed and continuously evolving to meet changing demand. Alongside this, you will oversee financial performance, manage risk and build strong relationships with partners, commissioners and communities to support integrated and person-centred delivery. You will also bring a strategic perspective, contributing to wider Adult Social Care priorities and helping to identify opportunities for innovation, growth and service transformation.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for an experienced and values-driven leader with a strong track record of leading complex adult social care services. You will have the ability to inspire and develop teams, drive improvement and confidently manage competing priorities within a fast‑paced environment. Equally important is your ability to work collaboratively, building trusted relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to influence change and deliver shared ambitions. You’ll bring a strong understanding of quality, safeguarding, performance and governance, combined with a genuine commitment to inclusion, continuous improvement and delivering better outcomes for residents.
Why Salford?
At Salford, we’re committed to doing things differently. We’re ambitious for our residents, our communities and our workforce, and we’re investing in services that are innovative, inclusive and focused on what matters most to people. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to shape services at a strategic level, lead talented and committed teams, and make a lasting difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities, those moving into adulthood and people with sensory needs. This is a genuinely rewarding role for a leader who is motivated by improvement, collaboration and the opportunity to create positive change at scale.
Interested?
We welcome informal conversations with prospective candidates who would like to learn more about this opportunity and the exciting future of Adult Social Care in Salford. Please be aware that this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and that you will be required to meet the cost of the DBS check – currently £49.50. The payment for this will be deducted from your first four months’ salary payments at a rate of £12.38 per month. If you do not commence employment for any reason but the DBS has been processed, you will be sent an invoice for the payment of £49.50.
If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character.
What we need from you if you are invited to interview:
- Passport/ID - You will be required to provide original documentation confirming your right to work in the UK. Successful candidates will also be required to provide proof of address.
- Qualifications/registrations – if applicable for the role.
Want to know more about Salford?
As an authority we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents, and as an employer we are passionate about helping individuals to thrive in their work. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud of our professional accreditations which champion this. Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. You’ll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you here!
Privacy Statement and Data Protection
Our core data protection obligations and commitments are set out in the council’s primary Recruitment and Employment Privacy Notice which can be found at https://www.salford.gov.uk/gdpr.
If you have completed the GM Elevate Leadership Development Programme within the last 2 years, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.
Head of Service - Learning Disability, Transition to Adulthood and Sensory Services in Swinton employer: Salford Council
Salford Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community by supporting vulnerable individuals through their challenging times. With a flexible hybrid working model, employees enjoy a balanced work-life environment while benefiting from professional development opportunities and a collaborative culture that values compassion and teamwork. Joining the Salford Assist Team means being part of a mission-driven organisation that prioritises employee well-being and community service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Learning Disability, Transition to Adulthood and Sensory Services in Swinton
✨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 Salford Council.
✨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 Salford Council!
✨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 Salford Council, 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 Salford Council 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 Head of Service - Learning Disability, Transition to Adulthood and Sensory Services in Swinton
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 Salford Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Salford Council! 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 Salford Council
✨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.
