Principal Manager - Adult Social Care Teams

Join us at a pivotal time for Adult Social Care in Salford!

Salford City Council is strengthening its Adult Social Care leadership as part of a wider programme of service development, integration and improvement across mental health services.

We are recruiting to a number of key roles across our Mental Health Social Work and AMHP services. These roles sit at the heart of delivering statutory responsibilities, improving practice quality and shaping how services operate across the wider system.

Main duties of the job

This is an opportunity to:

• Be part of a stable and experienced leadership team
• Contribute to meaningful service improvement and change
• Work in a system where partnership working is critical and valued
• Influence how services are delivered at both operational and strategic levels
• We recognise the pressures within Adult Social Care and are committed to creating an environment that balances high support with high challenge, enabling staff to deliver safe, effective and person-centred services.

About us

Principal Manager Mental Health Social Work ServiceSalford City Council | Adult Social Care and Health PartnershipsGrade 5C | £61,211 - £63,368Location: Civic Centre, Swinton

We are recruiting to a key senior leadership role within Adult Social Care, providing strategic and operational leadership across Mental Health Social Work services and the AMHP Hub.

This is a high-impact role, responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of statutory duties under the Care Act, Mental Health Act and associated legislation, while driving service improvement, performance and partnership working across the system.

Details

Date posted

08 October 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£61,211 to £63,368 a year

Salford City Council 5C

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,

Flexible working

Reference number

F0070-26-0008

Job locations

Unity House, Civic Centre

Chorley Road

Swinton

Greater Manchester

M27 5AW

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

About the role

As Principal Manager, you will:

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of Mental Health Social Work and the AMHP service
• Be accountable for service performance, quality, and continuous improvement
• Lead organisational change, improvement programmes and service development aligned to strategic priorities
• Work closely with partners across health, police and wider systems to ensure effective, coordinated delivery
• Use data, insight and evidence to drive high standards of practice and decision-making
• Represent the service at a senior level, including in complex forums such as safeguarding, MAPPA and multi-agency panels

You will play a central role in ensuring services are safe, legally compliant, financially sustainable and focused on outcomes for adults.

What were looking for

We are seeking a credible and experienced senior leader who:

• Has substantial experience within Adult Social Care and statutory mental health services
• Brings strong knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated frameworks
• Has a proven track record of leading services through change and improvement
• Is confident operating in complex, high-demand environments, balancing risk, performance and system pressures
• Can build strong, effective relationships across organisational boundaries
• Demonstrates clear, values-based leadership, with the ability to motivate, challenge and support teams
• You will be comfortable working at pace, navigating ambiguity, and making informed decisions in complex situations.

Why Salford

This is an opportunity to:

• Shape and influence mental health social work services at scale
• Work within a system that values partnership, innovation and continuous improvement
• Lead experienced teams delivering critical statutory functions
• Contribute to wider transformation across Adult Social Care

We recognise the demands of the role and are committed to providing:

• Strong peer and senior leadership support
• Opportunities for continued professional development
• A culture focused on high support, high challenge and continuous learning

Interested?

We encourage informal conversations prior to application; please get in touch with John Fenby (j.fenby@salford.gov.uk), 07423 117 614) with any questions. These are important leadership positions and we want you to fully understand both the expectations and the opportunity.To apply, please submit your latest CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability to the role requirements via the greater.jobs platform.

Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. Youll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you on our Salford pages! Statement and Data ProtectionOur core data protection obligations and commitments are set out in the councils primary Recruitment and Employment Privacy Notice which can be found at https://www.salford.gov.uk/gdpr.

Job responsibilities

About the role

As Principal Manager, you will:

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of Mental Health Social Work and the AMHP service
• Be accountable for service performance, quality, and continuous improvement
• Lead organisational change, improvement programmes and service development aligned to strategic priorities
• Work closely with partners across health, police and wider systems to ensure effective, coordinated delivery
• Use data, insight and evidence to drive high standards of practice and decision-making
• Represent the service at a senior level, including in complex forums such as safeguarding, MAPPA and multi-agency panels

You will play a central role in ensuring services are safe, legally compliant, financially sustainable and focused on outcomes for adults.

What were looking for

We are seeking a credible and experienced senior leader who:

• Has substantial experience within Adult Social Care and statutory mental health services
• Brings strong knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated frameworks
• Has a proven track record of leading services through change and improvement
• Is confident operating in complex, high-demand environments, balancing risk, performance and system pressures
• Can build strong, effective relationships across organisational boundaries
• Demonstrates clear, values-based leadership, with the ability to motivate, challenge and support teams
• You will be comfortable working at pace, navigating ambiguity, and making informed decisions in complex situations.

Why Salford

This is an opportunity to:

• Shape and influence mental health social work services at scale
• Work within a system that values partnership, innovation and continuous improvement
• Lead experienced teams delivering critical statutory functions
• Contribute to wider transformation across Adult Social Care

We recognise the demands of the role and are committed to providing:

• Strong peer and senior leadership support
• Opportunities for continued professional development
• A culture focused on high support, high challenge and continuous learning

Interested?

We encourage informal conversations prior to application; please get in touch with John Fenby (j.fenby@salford.gov.uk), 07423 117 614) with any questions. These are important leadership positions and we want you to fully understand both the expectations and the opportunity.To apply, please submit your latest CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability to the role requirements via the greater.jobs platform.

Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. Youll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you on our Salford pages! Statement and Data ProtectionOur core data protection obligations and commitments are set out in the councils primary Recruitment and Employment Privacy Notice which can be found at https://www.salford.gov.uk/gdpr.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• • Social Work qualification, recognised by Social Work England
• • Professional Registration
• • Registered as a Social Worker with Social Work England
• • Desirable Education to Masters / Fellowship level. Diploma in management.
• • A post Qualification specialism e.g. AMHP, BIA, Practice Educator.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• • Social Work qualification, recognised by Social Work England
• • Professional Registration
• • Registered as a Social Worker with Social Work England
• • Desirable Education to Masters / Fellowship level. Diploma in management.
• • A post Qualification specialism e.g. AMHP, BIA, Practice Educator.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

Salford City Council

Address

Unity House, Civic Centre

Chorley Road

Swinton

Greater Manchester

M27 5AW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.salford.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Salford City Council

Address

Unity House, Civic Centre

Chorley Road

Swinton

Greater Manchester

M27 5AW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.salford.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

About the role

As Principal Manager, you will:

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of Mental Health Social Work and the AMHP service
• Be accountable for service performance, quality, and continuous improvement
• Lead organisational change, improvement programmes and service development aligned to strategic priorities
• Work closely with partners across health, police and wider systems to ensure effective, coordinated delivery
• Use data, insight and evidence to drive high standards of practice and decision-making
• Represent the service at a senior level, including in complex forums such as safeguarding, MAPPA and multi-agency panels

You will play a central role in ensuring services are safe, legally compliant, financially sustainable and focused on outcomes for adults.

What were looking for

We are seeking a credible and experienced senior leader who:

• Has substantial experience within Adult Social Care and statutory mental health services
• Brings strong knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated frameworks
• Has a proven track record of leading services through change and improvement
• Is confident operating in complex, high-demand environments, balancing risk, performance and system pressures
• Can build strong, effective relationships across organisational boundaries
• Demonstrates clear, values-based leadership, with the ability to motivate, challenge and support teams
• You will be comfortable working at pace, navigating ambiguity, and making informed decisions in complex situations.

Why Salford

This is an opportunity to:

• Shape and influence mental health social work services at scale
• Work within a system that values partnership, innovation and continuous improvement
• Lead experienced teams delivering critical statutory functions
• Contribute to wider transformation across Adult Social Care

We recognise the demands of the role and are committed to providing:

• Strong peer and senior leadership support
• Opportunities for continued professional development
• A culture focused on high support, high challenge and continuous learning

Interested?

We encourage informal conversations prior to application; please get in touch with John Fenby (j.fenby@salford.gov.uk), 07423 117 614) with any questions. These are important leadership positions and we want you to fully understand both the expectations and the opportunity.To apply, please submit your latest CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability to the role requirements via the greater.jobs platform.

Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. Youll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you on our Salford pages! Statement and Data ProtectionOur core data protection obligations and commitments are set out in the councils primary Recruitment and Employment Privacy Notice which can be found at https://www.salford.gov.uk/gdpr.

Qualifications

Essential

• • Social Work qualification, recognised by Social Work England
• • Professional Registration
• • Registered as a Social Worker with Social Work England
• • Desirable Education to Masters / Fellowship level. Diploma in management.
• • A post Qualification specialism e.g. AMHP, BIA, Practice Educator.