Working Pattern: Full time

Working Arrangement: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, flexible and hybrid working available

Interview Date/Type: Face to face

SMART Working: We aim to offer flexibility wherever possible. Many of our colleagues work from home one or more days a week and/or adjust their hours. We call this SMART working - giving you the freedom to shape your working pattern around your life, whilst still delivering great outcomes. Speak with the hiring manager about the range of flexible working options available for this role.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a compassionate, committed and skilled Senior Practitioner to join us in Trafford and play a leading role in shaping the future of mental health services in Trafford. Trafford Council is currently transforming its mental health service delivery, and this is a perfect opportunity to possess a role where your values, your empathy and your professional expertise can make a lifechanging difference to people in the community.

You’ll work closely with our partners in GMMH, being co-located with the community mental health teams. You will have strong links with our health partners, local ICB and wider Local Authority colleagues to support safe, strengths based assessments with our people of Trafford.

If qualified, you will act as an Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP) working on our Borough wide rota, providing guidance in relation to the Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act 2005. Or you must be willing to work towards this.

This is a role where you can genuinely influence practice. You’ll help shape and strengthen the mental health service, improve outcomes for adults across Trafford, and ensure our services reflect our EPIC values: Empowerment, PersonCentred, Inclusive and Collaborative.

If you’re motivated by making a real difference and want to be part of a forwardthinking, supportive team, this is a fantastic opportunity to take the next step in your mental health social work career.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings warmth, curiosity and a genuine passion for supporting people with mental health needs. You’ll be an experienced Social Worker who is confident in navigating The Care Act 2014, and the Mental Health Act 1983, and committed to delivering highquality, personcentred care.

You’ll thrive in a role where partnership working is essential, and you’ll be someone who naturally builds trust with individuals, families, carers and colleagues across health and social care. You’ll be comfortable leading on complex cases and hold safeguarding oversight of the team.

You’ll bring resilience, compassion and a commitment to your own professional growth and you’ll also play an important part in supporting others, with strong leadership qualities. You’ll help supervise Social Workers, Social Work Students, support workers and Social Care assessors, sharing your knowledge, modelling good practice and contributing to a positive, supportive learning culture.

Above all, you’ll be someone who wants to make a difference, someone who is ready to take ownership, influence practice and help shape a service that truly supports the people of Trafford.

Additional Information

This advert may close early if we receive a high number of applications, so please apply as soon as possible.

  • An enhanced/basic DBS Check with children/adults barred list will be required.
  • You will be required to drive in this role. You will be asked for a copy of your driving license as part of the recruitment process.
  • You will be required on occasion to travel outside of Borough when needed for out of area assessments.
  • You may be required to work from other Trafford Council base offices, across the borough.
  • This role is Band 9 plus a Market Supplement of £996 pa and AMHP allowance of £1754.16.

Find Out More.

For the full details of this opportunity, please refer to the role profile linked below.

If you have any questions or would like an informal chat you can get in contact with the hiring manager, Ashleigh Evans at Ashleigh.evans@trafford.gov.uk or on 07967877731.

About us...

Trafford is a vibrant, inclusive borough at the heart of Greater Manchester. Home to 235,000 residents, four thriving town centres, over 11,000 businesses, and 60+ parks and green spaces. We’re a place where community and opportunity meet. With excellent transport links, a proud heritage as the birthplace of the NHS, world-class sporting venues and outstanding schools, Trafford is a fantastic place to live, work, and thrive.

Why Trafford?

We’re more than just a local authority; we’re a team of passionate people committed to making a real difference. We deliver essential services that matter, from education and social care to business support, licensing, libraries and leisure and much more. No matter what your role is with us, you will help us to create a borough where all our “residents, businesses and communities thrive.”

Our Culture...

Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They’re not just words on a wall, they shape how we work together, make decisions, and support each other every day.

They help us create a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to do their best. If you share these values and want your work to have real purpose and impact, Trafford is the perfect place to grow your career.

What you'll love about working with us...

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance:

  • Generous Leave: Start with 26 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), with options to carry over or buy extra days.
  • Flexible Perks: Discounts on car leasing, cycle to work, home tech, plus family friendly policies and hybrid working
  • Invest in your future: Join our generous Local Government Pension Scheme for peace of mind.
  • Grow with us: We'll support your development at every stage! Through leadership programmes like our EPIC Manager, LEAP into leadership and senior leadership. Plus, you'll have access to specialist qualifications and personal coaching to unlock your full potential.
  • Wellbeing First: Guided wellbeing walks and “Tea and Talk” sessions, and events like World Mental Health and National Fitness Day.
  • Connect with us: Connect with colleagues through our staff forums or join our Let’s Talk events to network, share ideas, and hear about the exciting work happening across our council.
  • Be Celebrated: For all your hard work, ideas and contributions through at our annual Time to Shine event, our cheers for peers’ scheme or through our EPIC Star Awards.

Key Information...

  • Pre-Employment Checks: If offered a role, as a minimum we’ll need to verify your right to work in the UK, receive two satisfactory references, and medical check. Trafford Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.
  • Please note: We are not a licensed sponsor and will not be able to support with your work visa.
  • Privacy Notice: We respect your privacy. For details on how we collect, process, and protect your data, please click here: Recruitment and employment privacy notice | Trafford Council privacy notice | Trafford Council

Make an Impact. Apply Today.

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team shaping a better Trafford for our residents, businesses and communities then we'd love to receive an application from you.

We want everyone to feel confident and supported throughout our recruitment process. If you need any help, adjustments or support at any stage, please get in touch with us at recruitment@trafford.gov.uk

After reviewing the role profile and submitting your application, successful candidates will be invited to a short interview to learn more about your skills and experience.

Supporting Documents

↗ Senior Practitioner Role Profile

Ready to apply?

Location

2a Craven Drive, Altrincham, Trafford , WA14 5JF, United Kingdom

Job ID

1921

Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey

We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.

This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester

Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.

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Your Pay, Your Benefits, Your Future

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  1. Calculate Your Take‑Home Pay

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice