Practice Manager - Complex Safeguarding NEW Salford Council Posted yesterday Salford £54,495 - [...] in Swinton

Salford City Council is seeking to appoint an experienced and dynamic Complex Safeguarding Operational Manager to lead and develop our multi-agency response to child exploitation and complex safeguarding risks. This is a critical leadership role within our Children’s Directorate, providing operational oversight of a specialist, multi-agency team working with children and young people at risk of exploitation. You will ensure the delivery of high-quality, child‑centred services aligned to Salford’s Complex Safeguarding Strategy, operational guidance, and wider prevention priorities.

About the role

You will manage a skilled and diverse team, driving performance, quality assurance and innovation in practice. The role requires strong strategic and operational leadership to ensure that children at risk of exploitation receive timely, effective and trauma‑informed support. You will:

• Lead and develop a multi‑agency team delivering complex safeguarding services
• Drive implementation of the Complex Safeguarding Strategy and Local Prevention Strategy
• Ensure robust supervision, performance management and professional development of staff
• Maintain oversight of risk management and case quality through effective quality assurance frameworks
• Represent the service at local, Greater Manchester and national forums
• Develop and maintain strong partnership arrangements to strengthen prevention and early intervention
• Contribute to funding bids and oversee budgets in line with service priorities
• Support the development of policy, procedure and operational guidance in line with statutory safeguarding responsibilities

You will play a key role in embedding a strengths‑based, child‑first and holistic approach to complex safeguarding, ensuring that practice is informed by legislation, research and local intelligence.

About you

You will be a qualified Social Worker (DipSW, MASW or equivalent) with at least three years’ experience in Children’s Social Care, including experience working with vulnerable and exploited children and young people. You will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and supervisory experience within a statutory setting
• The ability to manage and motivate multi‑agency professionals
• Excellent analytical skills and confidence interpreting complex performance and financial data
• Experience of managing change and delivering service improvement
• Knowledge of child protection legislation, modern slavery guidance and exploitation frameworks
• The ability to develop policy, implement strategy and influence across partnerships
• Confidence in quality assurance and performance management systems

You will be an essential car user and this post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

What we can offer

• A comprehensive learning and development programme
• Access to professional qualifications and apprenticeships
• A strong digital development offer through our Digital Skills Academy
• A supportive leadership culture built around our values: Pride, Passion, People and Personal Responsibility
• Flexible working opportunities under our #HappytoTalkFlexible approach

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children at risk of exploitation and to lead innovative, partnership‑driven safeguarding practice across the city. If you are passionate about complex safeguarding, committed to high standards of practice, and ready to lead transformational work within a multi‑agency environment, we would welcome your application.

Please upload your CV and supporting statement as part of your online application. Please be aware that this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.