At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a dynamic team to deliver high-quality social care for families.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at the heart of Children’s Social Care in Gateshead.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible hours, and extensive development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture with a focus on continuous learning and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping innovative practices.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience in leading teams and managing complex cases.
The predicted salary is between 48226 - 51536 £ per year.
Responsibilities
Lead, support and develop Assistant Team Managers, Consultant Social Workers, Family Help Social Workers and Family Help Practitioners to deliver high‑quality, safe and effective practice.
Drive a strong multi‑agency approach, working collaboratively across social care, partner agencies and community settings to deliver coordinated support for families.
Chair key meetings (including Family Help reviews, planning, strategy and PLO meetings) to ensure robust decision making and effective planning.
Oversee performance, quality assurance and compliance, ensuring recording, reporting and practice standards consistently reflect the voice and journey of the child.
Contribute to and influence service redesign, policy development and transformation activity, including the Families First Programme.
Work within governance and decision‑making frameworks, ensuring appropriate escalation and accountability.
Create a positive, high‑performance culture through strong leadership, supervision and continuous professional development.
Champion learning and improvement, embedding reflective practice and innovation across the service.
Family First Service
The Families First service sits at the heart of Children’s Social Care, bringing together a skilled, multi‑disciplinary workforce committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and their families.
Working closely with partners across family hubs, schools, health and wider services, the team delivers coordinated, relationship‑based intervention that places the voice of the child at the centre.
With a strong focus on early intervention, prevention and sustained change, the team plays a key role in driving the Families First Programme and shaping innovative, high‑quality practice across Gateshead.
Qualifications
- Recognised Social Work qualification, SWE registration and strong commitment to ongoing CPD (including Practice Educator Level 2 or willingness to work towards it).
- Significant experience in statutory children’s social care, including leading teams and managing complex cases, risk and performance.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, frameworks and practice models (including Children Act, Working Together, systemic and relationship‑based practice).
- Proven ability to deliver impactful interventions, improve outcomes for children and families and lead change in complex situations.
- Excellent analytical, assessment and decision‑making skills, with a clear focus on child‑centred practice.
- Effective leadership, communication and partnership‑working skills, with the ability to influence, motivate and develop others.
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle (or actively working towards this), alongside the ability to use systems effectively and manage performance, budgets and recording requirements.
Benefits
- Competitive salary: £48,226 – £51,536 plus a temporary 15% R&R allowance.
- Outstanding pension scheme.
- Generous annual leave: 28 days, 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: up to 26 flexi days per year and hybrid working options.
- Learning and development: wide range of training, development and progression opportunities.
- Health and wellbeing support: discounted gym memberships, mental health resources, etc.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Electric and hybrid car scheme through salary sacrifice.
- Exclusive discounts and salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics and more.
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