Senior independent living practitioner jobs in Manchester
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Have you ever wanted to make a difference to the lives of children in need of foster care.
The Together Trust Fostering Service places children with foster families of all shapes and sizes across the North West of England. These foster families provide safe, secure, and caring homes to children and young people.
As one of the we are looking for a dedicated, proactive and experienced Senior Practitioner/Supervising Social Worker
Location: Working across Lancashire & Greater Manchester
Hours: 37.5 hours - Full Time
Salary: £43,150 per annum (£22.25ph)
Full driving licence and access to a vehicle, mileage will be paid at £0.45 per mile.
The Together Trust is one of the North West’s leading charities, offering individual care, support, and education to hundreds of children, young people, and adults each year. We are a not-for-profit charitable trust, so every penny goes back into benefiting the people that we support.
We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home - whether that is a place to call your own or somewhere to experience feelings of safety, stability, and support. You will be helping children to grow their independence and shape their own story within a supportive, caring home.
We are looking to grow the Together Trust’s Independent Fostering Agency. If you are looking for an opportunity to join and work for a charity provider, working for a fostering agency where the values and ethos of the not-for-profit sector are embedded, we would very much like to hear from you.
Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).
Responsibilities include but are not exhaustive.
- To work in line with current fostering legislation, regulations and guidance relating to the recruitment, assessment, approval, training, support, supervision, and review of foster carers.
- To manage, support and supervise approved Together Trust foster carers.
- To provide ongoing supervision, support, and reviews for foster carers, including facilitating support groups, reflective practice and training where required.
- To receive, process and progress referrals for children and young people, liaising with local authorities and supporting appropriate matching as directed by the Registered Fostering Manager.
- To contribute to the development of a high-quality, flexible, and effective service, taking lead responsibility for agreed areas of service development.
- To develop, facilitate and deliver training for prospective and approved foster carers, and participate in relevant professional development opportunities.
- To deputise at meetings and undertake specific tasks as required by the Registered Fostering Manager.
- To undertake independent and complex assessment work commissioned by external agencies, as directed by the relevant Manager.
- To supervise staff and students as allocated by the Registered Manager.
- To undertake any other duties required to support the ongoing development of the service.
About You.
- Professional Social Work qualification (CQSW, DipSW or Social Work Degree).
- Registered with Social Work England.
- Relevant experience in fostering in IFA’s, local authority, or related social work settings.
- Skills in the assessment, supervision, and support of foster families.
- Ability to work reflectively and continuously develop practice.
- Ability to work within agreed boundaries while exercising professional judgement.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and guidance.
- Understanding of social work values and principles.
- Strong written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
- Ability to prioritise workloads and perform effectively under pressure.
- Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to support change and service development.
- Self-motivated with strong organisational and time management skills.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- Flexible to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.
Benefits
- Annual Leave27-day holiday plus 8 days bank holidays rising to 30 after 5 years, 33 days after 10 years.
- Generous pension schemeand death in service benefit, up to 7% company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6 x basic salary death in service benefit.
- Occupational sick payand family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoptive leave.
- Reward and Discount platformoffering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances etc.
- Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card.
- Proud to be a real living wage employer.
- Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us.
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications.
- Long service awardsincluding cash gifts and extra holiday.
- Promotion of Wellbeingacross the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleague and free weekly yoga session in person or online
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home
Please see the job description below for full details
We may remove this advert should we find the successful candidate prior to the closing date therefore early applications are encouraged.
Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).
Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status, or socio-economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience.
If there is any part of your lived experience, you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can do to support you.
The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This role will involve regulated activity
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
We are a UK charity supporting children in care and people with disabilities, autism and complex needs in the North West.
Thank you!
Who we are
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.
What you’ll do
Reports to: Chief Executive
Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders)
We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.
Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.
You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.
This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.
Who are we looking for?
You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.
You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.
Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.
IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.
What we can offer you
- 5% employer pension contributions
- Healthcare cash plan
- Flexible working arrangements
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).
To apply
Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.
Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.
First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.