Locality Team Leader
Stockport Council
Locality Team Leader Application Deadline: 12 May 2026, 11:59pm Join us at Stockport Council MJ Local Authority of the Year 2025 Your Role We’d love you to come and join our Stockport Family! Here in Stockport, we’re looking for driven, dedicated, and caring children’s social workers to help support some of our most important people, our children and their families. We have a fairly unique way of working which is centred all around relationships. Our locality social work teams assess and deliver interventions from the point of a family needing support all the way until either that family no longer requires a statutory service from us or until the end of court proceedings, meaning for our families there are really limited transition points. They’ve told us that this is really important to them. As a Team Leader in Stockport Family, you will get to develop and support social workers and their practice across all levels of intervention, meaning you’ll see the outcomes of the hard work you’ve put in. This will also provide you with a breadth of different skills and experiences, which will go some way in enhancing your social work knowledge. Our Team Leaders are key people in our management structure. Your role will be to support and nurture social workers, whilst driving forward outstanding practice for children and their families in a range of circumstances. You will supervise teams of six social workers and two senior practitioners and will work across both duty and longer-term work. In Stockport, career development is key. Our Team Leader cohort grew their careers from being social workers in Stockport we are committed to growing our Team Leaders and supporting you with your long-term career goals. We have a system of mentoring and buddying to support you to develop your career in whatever direction interests you and our yearly PDRs have really positive feedback from our social workers in terms of how they support with career development. You will be a part of a friendly and welcoming team, with each team having two experienced senior practitioners and a skilled, nurturing service leader. Here’s a couple of things our current social workers have said about their experience with Stockport Family: I have been really lucky to have been supported by some incredible colleagues, who have offered me guidance and support and also challenge where appropriate and this has helped me reflect on who I am and the kind of practitioner I want to be. I have felt like I mattered as a person and am part of a family. Leoni, social worker. I have a brilliant team and I’m lucky to be able to do some really purposeful direct work with children and with parents I feel like working in Stockport lets me be the social worker that I want to be. Jess, ASYE social worker. In Stockport, we are driven by our values so we want team leaders who are motivated by building relationships with children and families and to take an empowering approach to working with families. We would ideally like our team leaders to have experience of working across both duty and locality systems and to have held both private and public court proceedings, as well as experience of the pre-proceedings process. To help us meet the needs of our children and families and to help them when they need it most, we need social workers just like you, people who are hard-working, passionate about making a difference, and wanting children to reach their full potential. You’ll also be a team player, so you’re able to share your own knowledge with others and continue to learn. We know however, that this is a tough job and it’s a big ask. So to do it well, you need to be fully supported every step of the way. This is why we have an excellent package of benefits, including additional tailored support if you need it, all of which are detailed below. Learning and development is a key part of our culture, at every stage. We know you’ll come with a host of skills and things to share, but we know you need to continue to learn so you can thrive. So we will support you to flourish and develop in your career. We would love to speak to you about our offer, our career development pathways and the difference you could make for the children and families in Stockport. About Us In Stockport, our vision is for all children to have the best start in life. We co-designed an outcomes framework that we are committed to as our vision for supporting children and families in Stockport which is: We believe that change is possible through the building of strong relationships where there is both high support, and where necessary, high challenge. All colleagues are offered training to help us develop this restorative approach. To support our teams with this, we have experienced leaders, and a dedicated social work workforce development team, providing reflective and clinical supervision and we also offer innovative support services for families, which have been praised by the DFE including New Beginnings and Comma. Our commitment to our staff We have a strong workforce development programme we provide an introduction to restorative practice to set the foundation, and a host of other training including working with SEND needs. For our ASYE’s we have a supportive programme, with a year-long series of practice development sessions. We provide a solid induction into social work for oursocial workers, with a gradual increase in caseload and complexity ofwork. We offer high quality reflective supervision on a monthly basis from your line manager- all ofour service leaders are trained in reflective and systemic supervision. There are opportunities for group and reflective supervision delivered by senior practitioners too. ASYE’s will have a reflective mentor to offer additional space to think and learn outside of your team. As our services are integrated, so there’s a wealth of expert advice all around you. We provide opportunities to seek specialist advice and consultation from various services such as our IROs, Aspire service for domestic abuse and complex safeguarding, and our disability and short breaks team. We offer a full corporate induction too where you can meet other professionals across the council - our senior leadership also maintain a relationship with our new starters, to ensure that they are settling in well. What can we offer you? Why Stockport? As a local authority, Stockport offers a supportive and vibrant working environment our teams are dedicated to delivering the very bestoutcomes for our children and families and we work together with our multi-agencypartners in a positive and upbeat way. 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 contact Megan Norwood (megan.norwood@stockport.gov.uk) for 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 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 If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application. Please also email recruitment@stockport.gov.uk. 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.
MB3 (£51,356 - £58,165)
37 hours, Full-Time
Permanent
Hybrid: Stopford House and some homeworking where this meets the needs of the team
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: 14 May 2026
Interview Date: 20 May 2026
Interview Type: In person
About You
We have a model of restorative practice which means relationships are central to everything we do, not just with our families but with our colleagues too. We care about our use of language too, and we are very ambitious for the families we work with.
We encourage continual CPD and allow for protected time for you to do this. All our social workers are offered a yearly professional development review (PDR) to see what’s next in your career.Supporting Documents
↗ Job Profile
Ready to apply?
Location
Piccadilly, , Stockport, SK1 3XE, United Kingdom
Job ID
12119
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
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
