Adult Safeguarding Practice Lead

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Additional Payments: Casual Car User Allowance

Closing Date: 22 April 2025

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: In Person

This Role Is Subject To

Qualification - Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England

Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)

Casual Car Documentation - The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Clearance - This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.

Evidence of conduct in previous employment concerned with the provision of services relating to Health or social care or Children or vulnerable adults

Proof of identity including a recent photograph

Full Employment history

The adult safeguarding service in Manchester has a key role in delivery of high-quality support to people who use services, and those who care for them, as well as families, communities and providers to ensure safe practice and protection from abuse. If you share Manchester’s clear ambitions in delivering high quality services for the residents of the city, we want to hear from you.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. The Adult Safeguarding service supports the development of robust policies and procedures for internal and external service providers, to ensure the safety of adults with care and support needs.

This role will be specifically responsible for the development and delivery of effective safeguarding services across adult social care and Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) ensuring improved outcomes for adults.

If you’re successful you’ll join a team of dedicated professionals pushing forward a high standard of support for adults to promote their wellbeing and independence, enabling them to live a life free from neglect and abuse.

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Danielle Comerford, at 07971078907 and danielle.comerford@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.

We would love to hear from you if you have experience of:

1. Experience leading and coordinating complex safeguarding enquiries.
2. Robust understanding of legislation and policy frameworks which underpin adult safeguarding practice.
3. Knowledge and experience of safeguarding processes such as MAPPA, PREVENT, Domestic homicide reviews and Safeguarding Adult Reviews.
4. Confidence in providing adult safeguarding advice and guidance to practitioners, partners and relevant agencies, making evidence based, defensible decisions which are underpinned by legislation, policy and/or guidance.
5. Presentation skills - confidence in delivering presentations to the workforce and relevant agencies in relation to adult safeguarding practice.

Desirable Requirements That Would Be Useful In This Role

1. Communication & interpersonal skills — Ability to present complex information to city wide partners and agencies. Excellent skills in joint working, building and managing relationships with a range of professionals and agencies. Ability to consult and engage with a range of managers at all levels.
2. Analytical skills — Provable ability to quickly analyse complex case information and put in place action plans. Skilled in analysis of performance data ensuring value for money for services put in place.
3. Policy skills — Key analytical skills to consider the impacts of policy options and plan appropriate communications and reporting mechanisms. Ability to use cost-benefit analysis to inform decisions on competing priorities.
4. Planning & Organising — Ability to work within a complex service environment while focusing on gaining the best possible outcome for the adult. Contribution to Neighbourhood and regional agendas. Demonstrable ability to work within tight and demanding timescales.
5. Problem solving & decision making - Ability to react to immediate problems of a highly complex nature with associated risk factors and deliver immediate solutions sometimes under extreme pressure.

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job - it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester Is Our Vision For a Fairer, Greener, And Healthier City - a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It Guides Everything We Do At The Council And Is Brought To Life Through The Our Manchester Behaviours

1. We take time to listen and understand
2. We work together and trust each other
3. We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
4. We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
5. We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits We Offer

1. Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
2. A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
3. Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
4. Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
5. Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
6. A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
7. Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

1. Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
2. Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

Requirements

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

1. Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
2. Current or former care leavers
3. Have a disability or long-term condition

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering

1. A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
2. Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
3. A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.

What we will need from you if you’re successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

Required

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

1. Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
2. References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
3. Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
4. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
5. Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other Relevant Information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.