Senior Social Worker

Job Description

Senior Nurse Care Manager / Senior Social Worker (Learning Disabilities)

• Salary: £42,839 – £46,142 per annum (PO3)
• Hours: 37 per week (full-time)
• Contract: Permanent
• Location: Leeds
• Reference: REQ005314
• Posted: 02 February 2026

Join Leeds City Council’s Adult Social Care team as a Senior Nurse Care Manager (Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities – RNLD) or Senior Social Worker specialising in learning disabilities care management. This rewarding permanent role lets you make a genuine difference by empowering adults with learning disabilities to live fulfilling, independent lives on their own terms.

In Leeds, we are committed to a person-centred, strengths-based way of working. We partner closely with the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) to embed approaches that focus on people’s strengths, aspirations, and community connections rather than just deficits. This has helped transform how we deliver support, ensuring individuals feel truly heard and in control.

Our Better Lives Strategy (2022–2027) drives this vision council-wide. It brings together services—from housing and leisure to health and community support—to help people with care needs enjoy meaningful activities, secure homes, and strong local networks. It’s about creating inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. Read more about the Better Lives Strategy here. We also draw inspiration from NDTi’s expertise in strengths-based practice to keep our services innovative and effective. Learn about strengths-based approaches from NDTi.

As a senior professional, you’ll handle a varied and challenging caseload, carrying out detailed assessments, managing risks thoughtfully, creating tailored support plans, commissioning services, and reviewing progress. You’ll use creative, reflective methods to solve problems and promote independence, always putting the person and their loved ones at the heart of decisions. You’ll also safeguard vulnerable adults, chair multi-agency meetings, provide evidence-based reports, and occasionally represent the council in legal settings.

A key part of the role involves leadership: mentoring junior colleagues, supervising students, and supporting team development. We foster a culture of mutual learning, regular supervision, and professional growth, helping you balance support with constructive challenge to maintain wellbeing and build your career.

What we are looking for:

• Qualification as a Registered Nurse (Learning Disabilities) with current Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration, or a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Approved Mentor/Practice Assessor status (or willingness to achieve this, fully funded by us), ideally at Practice Educator Level 2 or equivalent.
• At least 2 years’ post-qualifying experience in a relevant statutory or health setting.
• Strong knowledge of learning disability practice, legislation, safeguarding, and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
• Proven skills in person-centred assessment, support planning, risk management, and creative intervention.
• Experience building partnerships, chairing meetings, mentoring others, and using reflective practice.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and continuous improvement.

What we offer:

• Competitive pay plus generous annual leave and bank holidays.
• Membership in the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with strong employer contributions.
• Flexible/hybrid working options (where service needs allow).
• Clear progression routes and funded CPD opportunities.
  Wellbeing perks and staff benefits to support your work-life balance.

Leeds City Council is a major employer with over 14,000 dedicated staff. We champion diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially from underrepresented groups including women, ethnic minorities, disabled people, LGBT+ individuals, carers, veterans, and those with care experience.

This UK based role requires proof of right to work in the UK before starting. For sponsorship queries, refer to Skilled Worker visa rules (typically requiring a minimum salary threshold).

Apply online via our jobs portal. For an informal discussion, contact Holly Smith, Team Manager, at 0113 378 4668 or holly.smith@leeds.gov.uk.

A DBS check (Adults/Children’s barred list as relevant) will be required for successful candidates. We follow our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

If you are passionate about empowering adults with learning disabilities through collaborative, strengths-focused care, we’d love to hear from you.