Experienced Social Worker Early Adulthood Team
SO3 (£39,862 £45,091) This role is eligible for an Essential Car User allowance of up to £963 per annum.
Part-Time and Full-Time (2 posts available: 1 x 18.5 hours per week and 1 x 37 hours per week)
Permanent
Hybrid: Stopford House and homeworking (expected to be office based for duty and team meetings approx. 2 days per week, and 1 day where you would be expected to undertake visits across the borough)

Application Deadline: 4th May 11:59pm
Please be aware that we may close this vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Shortlisting Date: 6th May 2026
Interview Date: 13th May 2026
Interview Type: Face to Face

Join us at Stockport Council MJ Local Authority of the Year 2025

Your Role

The Adult social care Early Adulthood Team is looking to recruit an experienced Social Worker who is committed to working with young adults in line with the Care Act to promote independence and prepare them for adulthood within a busy specialist social work team.

The post holder will be an experienced Social Worker who has consolidated their knowledge and experience, the post holder will have successfully completed their ASYE and post-ASYE development.

The experienced Social Worker will provide strengths-based, person-centred and legally compliant statutory social work practice with young people aged 14 25 years old, their families.

About You

We are looking for experienced social work practitioners who:

  • Are registered with Social Work England.
  • Advanced Social Work practice with adults in a statutory setting.
  • Advanced knowledge of and ability to apply legislation, regulations and Practice Guidance relevant to the post
  • Application of evidence informed practice
  • Organisational, administrative and prioritisation skills ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues, families and partners
  • Proven experience of working in a strengths based way and undertaking positive and proportional risks within the human rights framework
  • Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding adults and children, including complex cases; taking a think family approach
  • High level of written and oral communication skills and an ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people from all levels within the organisation and community
  • Ability to work and support others relationally, including negotiation, influencing and advocacy skills and an ability to work collaboratively with the people of Stockport
  • Ability to manage and resolve conflict
  • Ability to manage resources and demands effectively ensuring value for money
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a team and contribute to team development.
  • Hold or commit to work towards a BIA, AHMP or Practice Educator qualification within the first year
  • Desirable experience of supporting or mentoring students and newly qualified social workers

About Us

The Early Adulthood team is a specialist team within Adult social care which works across the borough to support young people 14-25 years and their families with a focus on preparing them for adulthood. This involves close liaison with Children’s social care teams, including Children with disabilities, safeguarding and leaving care teams. We work within the legal frameworks of the Care Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Mental Capacity Act, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) legislation to undertake holistic assessments to identify and support young people into adulthood. We work collaboratively with a range of professionals in education, health, housing and provider services and are committed to the councils vision of one heart, one mind, one Stockport and work to an ethos of promoting the glorious ordinary lives of all our residents.

At Stockport Council we are one ambitious team on a mission to create opportunities for everyone who lives, works and spends time in the borough. Working at Stockport Council means contributing to one of the most thriving towns in the North. We’re keen to recruit people with the right values and behaviours that can help us ensure our workplace values are at the heart of everything we do.

We are proud to be recognised under the Good Employment Charter as an organisation committed to the wellbeing of our colleagues. As members of the charter, we have been recognised as a great place to work for all colleagues and pledge to pay the real living wage, engage staff in key decisions and endorse fair and flexible working conditions.

If you would like to find out more about the role please email Eve.tollenaar@stockport.gov.uk or Chelsea.fields@stockport.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

The successful applicant’s appointment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment clearances including a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Stockport Council holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not currently qualify.

Please note that we have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers and ex-military personnel. As part of the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme you will therefore be guaranteed to be shortlisted for Assessment if you meet both the criteria for the scheme and the essential job role criteria.

Find out if you meet the criteria here: https://www.greater.jobs/our-guaranteed-assessment-scheme

Privacy Notice

Follow our recruitment team on X, Instagram and Facebook for updates on our vacancies and recruitment events.

Stockport Council is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce culture - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to join our workforce.

We want our employees to have a good work life balance and in many job roles we can offer a range of flexible/hybrid working arrangements. We also have inclusive employment policies and staff engagement forums to support our diverse workforce. We will listen to, learn from, and develop our workforce.

Supporting Documents

Job Profile

Ready to apply?

Location

Piccadilly, , Stockport, SK1 3XE, United Kingdom

Job ID

12091

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.

Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

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Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

Find out more

Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

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Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

Find out more

Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

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Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

Find out more

Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards

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Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards

Find out more

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

Employee Benefits

Annual Leave

A generous annual leave allowance, up to 30 days annual leave dependent on grade and length of service, plus bank holidays with the option to purchase additional annual leave

Work Life Balance

Work and personal life balance. Many jobs include part time working, flexi-time and homeworking

Employee engagement

Employee engagement networks to support colleagues and create opportunities to feed into both workforce and borough strategies

Volunteering

Support for volunteering by allowing up to 4 hours per month (pro rata) to carry out any duties associated with this

Learning and Development

A suite of learning and development opportunities, from important data protection training to all level apprenticeships

Discounts

A huge range of discounts via an easy to use portal, including: Gym memberships, restaurants, events, travel, cycle to work scheme, home electronics and more.

Wellbeing

Access to an employee support hotline, available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Pension Scheme

Option to join the Local Government Pension Scheme and give your pension a boost by enrolling into a salary sacrifice scheme.

Our Recruitment Journey

Seen a job you’re interested in but want to understand more about our recruitment process?

  • Application stage

    When you have seen a job, you are interested in you can submit your application online by clicking ‘Apply Now’, some vacancies will ask you to complete a supporting statement where you should address the About You section of the Job Profile for the role. Other vacancies will ask you to upload a CV.

  • Shortlisting

    In keeping with our commitment to inclusion, recruiting managers take an anonymised approach to recruiting when shortlisting your application form. They will use the supporting information section of your application and your work history to assess your suitability for the job. You'll be notified of the outcome of your application form via email and if successful you'll be invited to book an interview slot.

  • Interviews

    When preparing for the interview, you should familiarise yourself with the job profile. The About You section of the job profile contains the criteria that will be assessed at interview stage. You can prepare for interview by ensuring that you have clear examples relating to how you have met these criteria. If you require any reasonable adjustments because of a disability under the Equality Act, to assist you during the selection process we would be pleased to discuss them with you on recruitment@stockport.gov.uk

  • Offer stage and pre-employment checks

    Offer stage and pre-employment checks If you're offered the job after interviewing, you'll be sent a conditional offer detailing your new role. Along with the conditional contract and offer letter, our team will be in touch regarding your pre-employment checks.

    The pre-employment checks that you will need to undertake will depend on the role that you've applied for. These checks may include:

    • right to work in the UK

    • Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

    The information provided will be dealt with in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice

    • gaps in employment

    • reference checks. We will request references prior to issuing your conditional contract

    • pre-employment health declaration

    • qualification checks