12m Contract – Maternity Cover

Are you passionate about improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for people in Calderdale? Would you be interested in expanding and developing your career in Adult Social Care? If so, you could be the person we are looking for. 

An opportunity has arisen for a Team Leader to join the Mental Health Social Work Team to cover Maternity for 12 months.

The Mental Health Social Work Team are motivated to support people to protect their right to live their life to the fullest and have made significant improvements in how we support people to ensure their voice is heard and they meet their own goals. We embed the MCA and Disability rights throughout our work with people who need our support services and ensure no one is at risk of abuse or neglect. We work closely with individuals, families and multiagency partners.

You will support the team to provide timely and robust responses to referrals and support with duty management and supervision of our fabulous staff team. It is a great opportunity for an experienced Team Leader or Level 3 social worker who wants to take their first step into a management role. You will require extensive knowledge and working experience of The Care Act 2014, The Mental Health Act 1983 and Safeguarding / Mental Capacity legislation, we undertake complex court work and lead with multi-agency meetings.

You will have post qualification experience including a professional Social Work qualification CQSW, DipSW, CSS, Social Worker degree or equivalent registered with Social Work England, have practice Educator certificate, or BIA or have completed the portfolio for Level 3 award or already be an experienced Team Leader. 

Your new role
You will be mainly office based to support your team at Princess Buildings, in Halifax. You will have a joint responsibility with the Team Manager for staff within the team ensuring performance management, regulatory compliance, and service delivery, ensuring service priorities are met and take responsibility as required in the absence of Team Manager. You will be a proactive worker who has a proven record of working under pressure and supporting other staff members. 

Your responsibilities will also include:

•    Working collaboratively across the Council, with partners and statutory and voluntary agencies, to ensure a joined-up approach.
•    Line management and supervision of Social Workers and Service Coordinators.
•    Be part of developing and supporting the team to challenge stereotypes and be creative and responsive, and to value the people we support
•    Show an understanding of court work and legislation that protects our most vulnerable people whilst maintaining their autonomy and promoting independence.
•    Be an integral part of the team, reliable and approachable.

About you

To apply, you need to be a qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration and with significant post-qualification experience and knowledge of the Care Act 2014. You will also hold an additional post qualifying qualification such a Practice Education, Best Interest Assessor and/or Approved Mental Health Professional or be willing to work towards this within a specified time frame or have experience of being a team leader.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Closing Date and Interviews – 
Closing date: Sunday, 10th May 2026
Interviews: Tuesday, 19th May 2026
How to apply…
Apply online, ensure you cross reference the person specification and tell us within the relevant section of how you meet the person spec.  
We always encourage potential applicants to contact us for an informal and confidential chat:
Tristam Carson: Tristam.carson@calderdale.gov.uk 

We may utilise digital interview methods.

As part of our Vision (https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision/) we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities.

On 30 January 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency in a bold move to step up its action to tackle climate change.

Calderdale Council embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and we are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive. We encourage applications from people who share our commitment to challenge inequality and promote diversity across Calderdale. We particularly welcome applications from communities that are currently under-represented in our organisation. All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.

As part of our fair recruitment process, we ask that all applications are written by the candidate and that Artificial Intelligence (AI) use is limited, unless assistance is required as a reasonable adjustment for a disability. Content should be truthful, accurate, evidence based and not embellished – see guidance.