Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Principal Manager

The closing date is 31 March 2026

Job summary

We are looking for a Principal Manager for Social care staff within a busy inner city Integrated CMHT.

Providing all management functions for AMHP, Experienced, NQSW, student social workers and Care Navigators providing supervision, appraisal and performance management.

Supporting all Adult social care statutory and contracted duties relevant to cases open to CWP's CMHT's and ancillary teams which will include Care Act Assessments, Safeguarding, MHA/ MCA, AMHP, and Best Interest.

Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 3rd April and the proposed interview date is 21st April

Main duties of the job

To lead a team consisting of social workers and care navigators alongside health lead colleagues, within an integrated multidisciplinary service.

Providing all management functions for AMHP, Experienced SW's, NQSW, student social workers and Care Navigators providing supervision, appraisal and performance management.

Supporting all Adult social care statutory and contracted duties relevant to cases open to CWP's CMHT's and ancillary teams which will include Care Act Assessments, Safeguarding, MHA/ MCA, AMHP, and Best Interest.

About us

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.

We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.

Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.

As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.

Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.

Details

Date posted

17 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

373-AAD0100

Job locations

Stein Centre

Derby Road

Birkenhead

CH42 0LQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Social Work qualification e.g. Masters in Social Work; or equivalent knowledge and experience
  • Registered with Social Work England (or Social Work Wales) and be able to evidence this.
  • Evidence of continued professional development (CPD) at Masters level i.e Practice Educator (PE) , Best |Interest Assessor (BIA), Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP).

Desirable

  • Management qualification ILM level 5 or equivalent.

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

  • Evidence of local budget management and regulations at strategic and operational levels.
  • Sound knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation relating to Adults and their carers. This includes the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, Safeguarding and NHS CHC Framework.
  • Ability to analyse information and form a judgement regarding appropriate interventions with, adults and their families.
  • An understanding of the social care framework for information sharing between professionals and agencies.
  • Knowledge of statutory power and authority in exercising judgement.
  • An excellent understanding of robust quality assurance and its impact on outcomes.
  • Ability to prioritise, organise and plan tasks, meeting agreed timescales.
  • Ability to analyse performance information and put in place an improvement plan to address any issues.
  • Ability to challenge the impact of discrimination and deprivation.
  • Displays excellent communication skills and professionalism in building and developing influential and respectful partnerships.
  • Demonstrates self-awareness and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
  • Ability to develop a culture of learning and improvement where staff are sufficiently stretched and developed to meet their aspirations.
  • Ability to work within a challenging and testing environment.
  • Proactive approach to understanding the developing adult social care landscape, regionally and nationally.
  • Knowledge and understanding of maintaining accurate and efficient systems and records, evidencing a contribution to development.
  • Ability to develop performance monitoring systems that ensure consistently high quality Social Work practice.
  • Ability to converse with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of people management policies and procedures.

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience of managing a team within a Social Care environment.
  • Experience of dealing effectively with employee performance management issues in line with corporate policies.
  • Significant experience of mentoring and coaching others across all levels of social care practitioners.
  • Significant experience of dealing with complex cases carrying risk of harm.
  • Experience of working with adults in statutory services.
  • Experience of working with partner agencies.

Desirable

  • Significant experience of managing complex cases carrying risk of harm across a range of social care settings.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Social Work qualification e.g. Masters in Social Work; or equivalent knowledge and experience
  • Registered with Social Work England (or Social Work Wales) and be able to evidence this.
  • Evidence of continued professional development (CPD) at Masters level i.e Practice Educator (PE) , Best |Interest Assessor (BIA), Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP).

Desirable

  • Management qualification ILM level 5 or equivalent.

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

  • Evidence of local budget management and regulations at strategic and operational levels.
  • Sound knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation relating to Adults and their carers. This includes the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, Safeguarding and NHS CHC Framework.
  • Ability to analyse information and form a judgement regarding appropriate interventions with, adults and their families.
  • An understanding of the social care framework for information sharing between professionals and agencies.
  • Knowledge of statutory power and authority in exercising judgement.
  • An excellent understanding of robust quality assurance and its impact on outcomes.
  • Ability to prioritise, organise and plan tasks, meeting agreed timescales.
  • Ability to analyse performance information and put in place an improvement plan to address any issues.
  • Ability to challenge the impact of discrimination and deprivation.
  • Displays excellent communication skills and professionalism in building and developing influential and respectful partnerships.
  • Demonstrates self-awareness and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
  • Ability to develop a culture of learning and improvement where staff are sufficiently stretched and developed to meet their aspirations.
  • Ability to work within a challenging and testing environment.
  • Proactive approach to understanding the developing adult social care landscape, regionally and nationally.
  • Knowledge and understanding of maintaining accurate and efficient systems and records, evidencing a contribution to development.
  • Ability to develop performance monitoring systems that ensure consistently high quality Social Work practice.
  • Ability to converse with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of people management policies and procedures.

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience of managing a team within a Social Care environment.
  • Experience of dealing effectively with employee performance management issues in line with corporate policies.
  • Significant experience of mentoring and coaching others across all levels of social care practitioners.
  • Significant experience of dealing with complex cases carrying risk of harm.
  • Experience of working with adults in statutory services.
  • Experience of working with partner agencies.

Desirable

  • Significant experience of managing complex cases carrying risk of harm across a range of social care settings.

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 the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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 the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Stein Centre

Derby Road

Birkenhead

CH42 0LQ


Employer's website

https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Stein Centre

Derby Road

Birkenhead

CH42 0LQ


Employer's website

https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Service

Chris Judson

c.judson@nhs.net

07717717562

Details

Date posted

17 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

373-AAD0100

Job locations

Stein Centre

Derby Road

Birkenhead

CH42 0LQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)