Senior independent living practitioner jobs in Manchester
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Up to 37.5 hours per week ¦ Full and part-time opportunities
Do you want to make a real difference every day?
Are you an experienced Support Worker or care professional ready to take the next step in your career?
At Stockdales, you'll support people with learning and physical disabilities, including people with complex health needs, to live full, active and meaningful lives.
We're a charity with over 70 years' experience, and we're proud to create an environment where the people we support can enjoy life, try new things and be as independent as possible.
And that means your days are anything but ordinary.
You could be supporting someone with their personal care in the morning, heading out into the community in the afternoon, and helping them enjoy an activity, day trip or new experience later that day.
Our activities include swimming, trips to the seaside, museums, sensory walks, activity breaks and holidays in the UK and abroad.
What you'll be doing
As a Care Practitioner, you'll:
- Provide dignified, person-centred personal care and support in line with individual support plans.
- Support individuals with health care needs and complete health care procedures following appropriate training and guidance.
- Promote independence, self-help skills, community involvement and positive outcomes.
- Recognise and appropriately respond to distressed behaviour, safeguarding concerns and changes in health or wellbeing.
- Support colleagues, including staff who are new to the role or completing their probation.
- Take on Shift Leader responsibilities when required, including delegating duties, supporting medication and stores processes, liaising with families and professionals, and escalating concerns appropriately.
You'll be supported throughout your development, with comprehensive induction, refresher training and opportunities to complete relevant professional qualifications such as an RQF/NVQ Level 2 or 3.
About you
You'll ideally have at least one year's experience in care and be ready to take on more responsibility and lead shifts.
Most importantly, you'll be caring, reliable and passionate about supporting people to live the lives they choose.
You'll also need to:
- Be flexible to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
- Be comfortable working as part of a team and taking responsibility when required.
- Have basic IT skills, including Microsoft Word and email.
- Have good English reading and writing skills and basic numeracy.
- Be physically able to carry out the role, including using hoists and pushing wheelchairs.
The role is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check, references and successful completion of a 6-month probationary period, as well as all required training.
What we offer
We want our staff to feel valued, supported and able to develop their careers with us. In return, you'll receive:
- A competitive salary
- Enhanced pay for bank holidays and on call
- Excellent internal and external training offered
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
- Mileage paid for travel during work hours
- 28 days holiday per year pro rata inclusive of bank holidays
- Increased holiday entitlement with service
- Pension Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to Wage Stream
- Medicash – includes access to 24hr GP, money off shopping and going out, wellbeing aids
- Life Insurance Scheme
- Monthly staff prize draw
Why Stockdales?
Because this is more than a care job.
You'll build relationships, develop your skills and help people do things that matter to them. Whether that's supporting someone to become more independent, enjoying a day out, trying a new activity or simply having a really good day - you'll know you've made a difference.
If you're ready to take the next step in your care career, we'd love to hear from you.
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.