Social Care Team Manager; Maternity Cover

Social Care Team Manager (Maternity Cover) - Manchester

Social Care Team Manager - Manchester

Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.

• Hours:
  
  35
• Contract Type:
  Temporary (maternity leave cover starting from January 2027 for up to 12 months)
• Location:
  
  Hybrid, working from Manchester hospitals/Home From Home and home
• Closing Date: 13/9/26
• Interview Date: 1/10/26

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.

We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there.

People like you.

About the role

We’re excited to be recruiting a Social Care Team Manager to cover maternity leave and join our dedicated West Region, covering the Manchester area. In this role, you’ll be supporting children and young people diagnosed with cancer by managing a team of social care staff who deliver services in line with our organisation’s service specifications.

This is a hybrid role with flexibility to work both from home and our Young Lives vs Cancer offices within the hospitals and home from home in Manchester. While you’ll have the option to work remotely within our hybrid working guidelines, there is an expectation that you will visit the Manchester team on a regular basis.

This role is subject to a Criminal Record Check. In the event of a successful application, a Enhanced Criminal Record Check will be completed. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.

This role is also subject to a current Social Worker Registration.

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy.

Our work is rewarding but also complex and demanding; you will need to be resourceful and resilient.

We are looking for a social work qualified experienced people manager to take responsibility for operational management and development of our social work services.

You will ensure that effective services are delivered to children and young people with cancer and their families through the professional supervision of our staff group, working across split sites.

What do I need?

Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:

• You must hold an appropriate social work qualification.
• Extensive experience of working with children and young people including complex case work and risk assessment and care planning,…