At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in building trust and achieving independence through tailored support plans.
- Company: Join the Salvation Army Homes, a leading provider of housing and support services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, healthcare cashback, and a matched pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and offers career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with youth support and strong communication skills are essential.
Imagine this.. A young person starts to see a future beyond the uncertainty they’ve experienced. They have somewhere safe to live, someone who listens, and support to take their next step. You’re there alongside them — building trust, recognising their strengths and helping them turn possibilities into progress. That’s what being a Senior Project Worker at Maida Street is all about.
Maida Street is part of the Greater Manchester Branch Project, providing safe, stable accommodation and support for young people who may otherwise face custodial remand. Working closely with Youth Justice, social care and other partners, you’ll help young people build positive relationships, access opportunities and move towards greater independence.
This is a hands-on senior practitioner role, not a line-management post. You’ll bring experience, initiative and sound professional judgement to direct work with young people, modelling good practice and offering guidance to colleagues. The role involves regular and significant lone working, including times when a manager is not immediately available on site. You’ll need to act confidently within your responsibilities, recognise when support is needed and escalate concerns promptly.
What you’ll be doing:
- Building consistent, trusting and professionally boundaried relationships, using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches.
- Keyworking young people and co-producing support plans that reflect their voice, strengths, goals and aspirations.
- Helping young people develop practical living skills, positive routines and connections to education, training, employment and health services.
- Keeping safeguarding central to your work: recognising concerns, taking timely and proportionate action, and reporting, recording and escalating risks in line with procedures.
- Working safely and independently, following lone-working arrangements, responding calmly to incidents and seeking management or emergency assistance when needed.
- Working alongside Youth Justice, social care, families and other professionals, where appropriate, to support coordinated placements, transitions and move-on.
- Maintaining accurate support plans, risk assessments, records and handovers, and contributing to reflective practice and service improvement.
What you’ll bring:
- You’re someone who combines compassion with clear boundaries, and initiative with an understanding of when to ask for help.
- You can stay calm when circumstances change, prioritise competing demands and make thoughtful, defensible decisions without constant supervision.
- Above all, you see a young person’s potential, not just the challenges they are facing.
- You’ll bring an understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries and the importance of young people having a meaningful say in their support.
- You’ll be confident working independently and undertaking regular lone working safely, with strong communication, recording and partnership-working skills.
- Knowledge or experience of Youth Justice would be welcome.
- A relevant qualification and continued professional development are desirable, alongside a willingness to keep learning and developing your practice.
Working Arrangements:
37.5 hours per week, Monday to Sunday (ad hoc evening work)
Our Offer:
In return, we offer a competitive and supportive benefits package, including:
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days
- Westfield Healthcare Cash Back Plan (including cashback for optical, dental, therapies, plus 24/7 GP access and counselling support)
- Matched pension scheme up to 6% (with salary sacrifice option)
- Enhanced family leave from day one, including enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay
- Occupational sick pay
- Financial support options, including season ticket loans, emergency loans, mortgage advice and wellbeing support
- Paid volunteering days
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted private medical insurance
- Support to learn, broaden your skills and develop your career
- A fun and inclusive work culture where individual differences are valued and championed
Closing date: 11 December 2026 (please note we may close the vacancy early if we receive a large volume of applications)
About The Company:
Founded in 1959, Salvation Army Homes is a registered provider and exempt charity, and a subsidiary of The Salvation Army. We are a specialist provider of housing and support services across England, owning and managing around 4,500 homes in partnership with 79 local authorities. We provide general needs housing, supported accommodation, and homes for older people.
If you join our passionate staff team you will be contributing to our mission; “Safe Homes. Transform Lives” where you will make a positive difference to residents, who are at the heart of everything we do.
Guaranteed interview scheme: Please let us know if you have a disability, are a Salvation Army Homes resident or ex-resident, are a care leaver, or ex veteran as we guarantee an interview if you meet the minimum requirements of the role.
As an equal opportunities’ employer, Salvation Army Homes is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We invite and welcome applications to apply for Salvation Army Homes opportunities without concern of bias or discrimination.
If you require any adjustments or support to enable you to participate fully in the selection process, please let us know. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience.
Senior Project Worker in Manchester employer: Salvation Army Homes
At Salvation Army Homes, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of young people. Our supportive work culture fosters inclusivity and personal growth, offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous leave, healthcare support, and opportunities for professional development. Located in Preston, our team is passionate about co-production and ensuring that the voices of those we serve are at the forefront of our mission, 'Safe Homes. Transform Lives'.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Worker in Manchester
✨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 Salvation Army Homes.
✨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 Salvation Army Homes!
✨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 Salvation Army Homes, 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 Salvation Army Homes 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 Senior Project Worker in Manchester
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 Salvation Army Homes:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Salvation Army Homes! 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 Salvation Army Homes
✨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.
