Job Summary
We are thrilled to announce the introduction of the Associate Director of Social Work role at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH). This is a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering outstanding, person‑centred care and strengthening the voice of social work across our services.
Main Duties
To provide strategic leadership and professional oversight of social work across the Trust, ensuring high‑quality, person‑centred, and legally compliant social care practice.
The role is predominantly concerned with supporting the Chief Nurse to ensure the best possible standard of care delivery by social work workforce across the Trust and provide senior leadership for the Trust for this agenda.
The post holder will be a highly skilled senior leader within the Trust and have excellent clinical communication and interpersonal skills, able to manage complex sensitive situations to ensure that all staff understand the role they play and what the domains/ KLOEs are in relation to the Social work agenda and their service.
The post will work closely with teams to improve and develop all aspects of Social work practice, provide visible leadership and influence the development of services to ensure continuous improvements in the quality of care. This post will also lead continuous quality improvement in relation to SWs of all services ensuring that the patient experience and learning lessons influence the Trust's future development and are embedded within everyday practice.
About Us
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community‑based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world’s most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Details
Date posted: 05 January 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £91,342 to £105,337 a year pa
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part‑time
Reference number: 437-7655863
Job locations
* Prestwich
* Bury New Road
* Prestwich
* M25 3BL
Job description
Please refer to attached JD and person specification. Please note that this role is not suitable to be undertaken remotely.
Person Specification
Qualifications – Essential
* Degree/master's in social work (or equivalent) and SWE registration.
* Evidence of substantial CPD at senior level; legal literacy in MHA/MCA/Care Act.
Qualifications – Desirable
* AMHP accreditation (current or previous) or equivalent senior level MHA practice leadership.
* Postgraduate leadership/management qualification.
* Evidence of trauma‑informed practice leadership and least restrictive approaches to the provision of care.
Experience – Essential
* Significant senior leadership of social work within mental health or integrated community settings.
* Proven track record of strategy delivery, governance, service improvement and multi agency partnership working.
* Leading large teams, change programmes and complex risk management.
Experience – Desirable
* Experience of leading strategy; co‑production; system transformation at IC/ICB level.
* Board/sub committee reporting and external inspection preparation.
Knowledge – Essential
* Expert understanding of Care Act, MHA, MCA/DoLS/LPS, safeguarding legislation, CQC standards and related statutory duties.
* Ability to set professional standards, design QA frameworks, and translate policy into practice.
* Advanced skills in stakeholder engagement, influencing, negotiation and system leadership.
* Strong data literacy (KPIs, dashboards), QI methodology, and financial acumen.
* Compassionate, inclusive and rights‑based leadership.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name: Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT
Address:
* Prestwich
* Bury New Road
* Prestwich
* M25 3BL
Employer's website
https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/
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