Sensory Social Worker

About The Role

Working Hours:  35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type:  Permanent, Full-Time
Working Style: Hybrid
Additional Payments: Essential Car User Allowance
Closing Date: 17 June 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm 
Interview Method: Face to Face 

This Role is Subject to:

2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history 

Qualification - Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England

Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)  

Essential Car Documentation- This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance.   

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.  

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

The Sensory Team is based at the Hulme District Office and forms part of Manchester Local Care Organisation. The team operates city‑wide, providing specialist assessment, training and support to citizens with vision loss, hearing loss, or dual sensory loss. 

The Sensory Social Worker will specialise in working with adults whose primary identified need is sensory loss. This includes citizens who are profoundly Deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) as their preferred method of communication, Deafblind citizens with combined sensory loss who require visual frame or hands‑on communication, and citizens who are registered Sight Impaired (SI) or Severely Sight Impaired (SSI). 

The successful candidate must hold a recognised and valid social work qualification. Ideally, they will have British Sign Language (BSL) skills at Level 2 or above or demonstrate a commitment and willingness to undertake this training. The post holder must also have a strong understanding of the Deaf community and visual impairment, and the complex impact that deafness and blindness can have on a citizen’s independence, health, and overall wellbeing. 

Working as part of a specialist sensory team, the post holder will collaborate closely with colleagues across the City Council, alongside partner agencies and key stakeholders, to effectively assess, plan, and deliver person‑centred support and interventions that address the holistic needs of citizens with a sensory impairment. 

The role involves supporting citizens to plan, organise and co‑produce their care and support, taking into account communication needs and the complexities associated with sensory loss. The post holder will be responsible for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating support plans to ensure outcomes are achieved. 

Safeguarding is a core principle underpinning all aspects of practice. The Sensory Social Worker will be expected to recognise and assess risk, coordinate and lead or co‑work on safeguarding enquiries, and contribute to multi‑agency investigations.

This includes developing and implementing protection plans to safeguard adults with sensory impairments from harm, abuse or exploitation, while recognising and responding to the specific needs of Deaf, visually impaired and Deafblind citizens.

About the Candidate

The role holder will work to provide direct support for citizens and their families in accordance with statutory responsibilities and local and national policies and procedures in order to secure positive outcomes for the citizens.

The role holder will specialise in working with citizens whose primary identified need is Sensory loss i.e.   Deafness, hard of Hearing, severely visually impaired or Deaf-blind (Combined Sensory Loss).

The role holder must hold a recognised and valid social work qualification and be trained at a minimum standard of British Sign language Level 3 or a NVQ Level British Sign Language. The role holder must have an in-depth knowledge of Visual Impairment and the complex issues that being blind/visually impaired has on a citizen with regards to their independence, health and well-being. 

The role holder will work with as part of a specialist sensory team and with other City Council colleagues, partner agencies and stakeholders to effectively manage and plan for support and interventions to address the holistic needs of citizens with a sensory impairment .  

The role holder will assess and plan and co-produce person-centred interventions to meet the individual needs of service users to promote their independence. 

The role holder will supervise and develop students and trainees and actively contribute to the development of other staff as appropriate to the grade. 

Key Role Accountabilities: 

• To support citizens whom are profoundly deaf, and to effectively communicate using the citizens preferred method of communication. The worker must have experience and insight into recognising the complexity and challenges of being deaf. 

• To support citizens who have a visual impairment or a combined sensory impairment recognising the complexities of being visually impaired and how this may affect a citizen's independence, health and wellbeing.

• To identify the social care needs of deaf, visually impaired and deaf-blind individuals and carers to determine the eligibility of needs within the Care Act. 

• To support the citizens to plan, organise and co-produce the support that a person with a sensory impairment may need, recognizing the complexities of communication and to monitor , review and evaluate the support that is provided. 

• To make safeguarding a principle which underpins every aspect of our practice. Recognizing and identify risks.

• To coordinate and lead or co-work on investigating allegations of abuse and protecting Vulnerable adults with a sensory impairment from harm and exploitation and co-ordinate a multi-agency approach to safeguarding investigation and preventative strategies.

• To contribute to the development of an agreed protection plan for any vulnerable adult and to carry out interventions as are deemed necessary to promote the safety and protection of that adult recognising the overlaying needs of the deaf, visually impaired or deaf-blind citizens.  

• To provide advice, support or work in partnership with other teams and services where the primary need of the person is not their sensory loss however is a significant factor in their lives. 

• To complete and carry out Carers assessments for persons who have a sensory impairment recognising the complexities of having a sensory loss and how this affects a person's independence, health and wellbeing, and identifying the impact this has on their caring role. 

• To work in partnership with Directorate for Adults Transition team to identify those young persons whom are approaching the age of 18 and carry out a specialist assessment in regard to addressing their sensory needs.

• Develop and manage positive relationships to support citizens and their families in line with statutory obligations through complex decision making to allow citizens to access improved future opportunities.

• Efficiently maintain accurate and appropriate records in accordance with statutory targets and City Council, local and national policy and procedures to evidence achievement of improved outcomes for citizens, service targets and improvements in service delivery.

• Roles at this level may be required to manage a range of assigned resources, which may be human, financial or other, to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery.  Staff management duties may be either through direct line management of a team (including appraisals, performance management and other duties) or through matrix management of a virtual team of officers.

• Personal commitment to continuous self-development and service improvement.

• Through personal example, open commitment and clear action, ensure diversity is positively valued, resulting in equal access and treatment in employment, service delivery and communications.

If you would like to discuss this role further, please contact [email protected]

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - W e are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments : Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats : Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page . This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement s for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below :

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition

When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly .

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected] .

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. 

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

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