Director of Social Work & Social Care

Director of Social Work & Social Care

Location- Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 OTH with hybrid working.

Salary range - £100,731 to £104,625 per annum

Working Pattern Full time, 36.25 hours per week

We will offer flexibility where we can if you are interested in a role, please speak to the recruiting manager about what flexibility they might consider.

Many of our colleagues can work from home for one or more days a week and/or they flex the hours they work. We call this SMART working, and it gives you the option to flex your days and hours so you can fit your work around your life and life around your work.

Contract type - Permanent

Application deadline 20 February 2026

Interview type In person

About the role

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.

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.

Why Join Us?

• This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Adult Social Care in Trafford. You will be part of a leadership culture that puts residents and the workforce first, driving innovation and improvement across our services. For an in formal discussion about the role and/or to apply, please contact our search partner, Gatenby Sanderson: Apply Now

About us

Trafford Council and its partners in the public, private and third sectors have a Vision which sees us working together to close inequality gaps and maximise Trafford’s huge potential.

Our vision: Trafford where all our residents, businesses and communities thrive.

Trafford is a lively, prosperous place to put down roots and build a career. The council and Trafford schools employ around 8,000 people, who are central to making the area great. In return for their commitment, the council offers its employees development opportunities, as well as a fair and flexible workplace. The council is a Living Wage Employer.

Additional Information

• For an in formal discussion about the role and/or to apply, please contact our search partner, Gatenby Sanderson: Apply Now

About the benefits

You will be welcomed into a friendly environment where your personal and professional development will be encouraged. You will have the opportunity to work and grow in a people-centered and values-based organisation that promotes a positive permission culture. Your opinions matter so you will have the opportunity to shape how we do things here at Trafford.

To learn more about Trafford as a place to work visit and to view more about our awards and benefits please visit: Trafford - Benefits | www.inploi.com (greater.jobs)

If you are applying under the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme then you need to show that you meet the essential requirements of the job as set out in the ‘About You’ section of the role profile. You may be given the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, talent and abilities at an interview or other form of assessment.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment - greater.jobs | www.inploi.com

For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licensed sponsor and we won't be able to support with your work visa.

Privacy Notice - The Council needs to hold and process information about employees, workers and other individuals as appropriate, for various reasons. With the General Data Protection Regulations coming into force we have in place a new privacy notice for staff, contractors, volunteers, trainees, those on work experience and job applicants. To find out more, please click here: Recruitment & Employment Privacy Notice (trafford.gov.uk)