Director of Social Work and Social Care
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- Employer:
- Trafford Council
- Location:
- Trafford
- Salary:
- £100,731 to £104,625
- Closing date:
- 16th February 2026
- Job Ref:
- GSe128848
Description
Lead the Future of Adult Social Care – Transform Lives Every Day in Trafford
Trafford is on an ambitious journey to transform Adult Social Care services. Working with our residents and partners, we are creating a person-centred service that supports individuals and communities to live well. Prevention is at the heart of our practice model, and our Improving Lives Every Day (ILED) programme sets out a clear vision: to help people be safe, independent, and well.
Our strategic priorities include:
- Prevention and Independence
- Improving Access
- Enhancing Mental Health and Safeguarding Services
To achieve this, we have redesigned our management structure and launched a new ‘Front Door’ service, ensuring residents receive timely advice and support, while we take every opportunity to prevent, reduce, and delay needs.
The Role
As Director of Social Work & Social Care, you will join a values-driven senior leadership team, providing visible and responsive leadership. You will champion personalised adult social care and social work for Trafford residents, leading the delivery of our practice vision and implementing a new practice framework and delivery model.
You will:
- Lead and manage operational services across integrated neighbourhood teams, urgent care, the front door, mental health, and learning disability services.
- Set clear accountability and performance standards, driving continuous improvement and achieving budget savings.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the authority, health partners, and the third sector to integrate pathways and deliver better outcomes and value for money.
About You
You are a qualified social worker with deep practice credibility and a relentless pursuit of excellence. You will:
- Lead a complex range of adult services with confidence and clarity.
- Be politically astute and skilled at turning insight into action.
- Inspire confidence among practitioners, partners, Members, and residents.
- Role model a workforce-centred, relationship-based approach that empowers teams and improves lives every day.
To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.
How to Apply
- Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, evidencing how you meet the criteria.
- Detail any employment or education gaps.
- Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
- Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
- Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. If you do not receive, please email contactus@gatenbysanderson.com
Contact
The following consultants are managing this role and will be happy to answer any questions that are not covered in the person specification on the next webpage.
- Contact:
- Jude Watters
- Telephone:
- 07594 250060