At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage complex cases to support children and families in need.
- Company: Join a dedicated team making a real difference in Gateshead's children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on young people's futures through meaningful social work.
- Qualifications: Recognised Social Work qualification and experience in children and families social care.
The predicted salary is between 45091 - 48226 £ per year.
Our Children’s Social Care team work to provide and further develop services to children and families across Gateshead to offer a focused and joined up approach to offer young people the best possible start in life.
This is incredibly important work and includes an excellent early help and prevention service, assessment, intervention and safeguarding supporting children and their families, services for children in and having experienced our care, our fostering, residential and adoption services, support for vulnerable adolescents & those with disabilities and many more.
It can be challenging but very rewarding work, as we passionately pursue our goal of helping Gateshead children to thrive.
Make a lasting difference for children and young people in care through high-quality social work practice, leadership and support.
Our Children in Our Care teams are dedicated to supporting children and young people to ensure their needs are understood, their voices are heard and the right care arrangements are in place both now and for the future.
Working closely with children, families, carers and partner agencies, we focus on achieving positive outcomes through meaningful relationships, effective planning and high-quality interventions.
Alongside this, our well-established Care Leavers Team provides ongoing support to young people who remain in care after their 16th birthday.
The team works in partnership with young people to assess their needs, prepare for adulthood and review their Pathway Plans, helping them develop the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to achieve successful and independent futures.
Be part of a dedicated team helping children and young people achieve safety, stability and brighter futures.
We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a Consultant Social Worker to our Children in our Car Team.
Our Consultant Social Workers are role models for excellent practice, demonstrating professionalism, resilience, leadership and a commitment to continuous learning while delivering the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
- What You'll Get To Do
- Lead and manage a complex caseload of children in need, children in our care and child protection cases, delivering high-quality assessments, interventions and support.
- Support and influence social work practice through assisting with supervision, decision making and professional development of practitioners.
- Develop, implement and review evidence-based care plans and pathway plans that promote the best interests of children and young people.
- Ensure children, young people and their families are fully involved in assessment, planning and review processes, with their views reflected in all decision making.
- Champion the education, health, safety and wellbeing of children and young people, helping them achieve their aspirations and reach their full potential.
- Deliver purposeful interventions that reduce risk, strengthen resilience and create sustainable positive change.
- Build and maintain effective multi-agency partnerships across Children's Social Care, schools, family hubs, health services and specialist support services.
- Support quality assurance and performance improvement activities, ensuring recording, reporting and practice standards are timely, accurate and compliant.
- Work within delegated authority, escalating recommendations and decisions where appropriate.
- Contribute to service development, continuous improvement activities and the promotion of best practice across the service.
- Maintain professional registration, participate in supervision and appraisal processes, and undertake ongoing learning and development.
- What You’ll Bring
- A recognised Social Work qualification, Social Work England registration, and the ability to travel effectively across the borough.
- Significant experience within a statutory children and families social care setting, working confidently within relevant legislation, policy and professional frameworks.
- Strong knowledge of children's legislation, safeguarding, child development, corporate parenting responsibilities and current social work practice.
- Proven ability to undertake complex assessments, analyse risk, develop effective plans and deliver interventions that achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
- Experience of supervising, supporting and developing practitioners, students or colleagues, alongside contributing to performance management and quality improvement.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building and partnership-working skills, with the ability to engage positively with children, families and professionals while promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Strong analytical, digital and organisational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate case records, produce high-quality reports and keep the child's voice at the centre of practice.
If successful you will have to apply for an enhanced Disclosure.
- What’s In It For You
- Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience salary £45,091 - £48,226 plus a 5% R & R allowance
- Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf. info
- Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
- Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
- Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
- Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
- Electric & Hybrid
- Car
Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
- Exclusive Discounts & Salary
Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work.
We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve.
We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
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Consultant Social Worker in Gateshead employer: Gateshead Council
Gateshead Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. As a Children's Registered Manager, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people while benefiting from a competitive salary, generous pension scheme, and ongoing professional growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant Social Worker in Gateshead
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Gateshead Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Gateshead Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Gateshead Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Gateshead Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Consultant Social Worker in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Gateshead Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Gateshead Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gateshead Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
