At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in children's services to improve outcomes for young people.
- Company: Gateshead Council, committed to helping families thrive.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and extensive professional development.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to continuous learning and improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping the future of social care.
- Qualifications: Professional social work qualification and significant leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 31650 - 43607 € per year.
Who We Are & What We Stand For
At Gateshead, we believe that "the strength of Gateshead is the people of Gateshead." Everything we do is driven by our commitment to helping children, young people and families thrive. Our Children's Services are rated 'Good' by Ofsted, and we are ambitious about striving for excellence as we continue to strengthen practice, culture and outcomes. Our vision is simple: every child should enjoy their childhood and have the opportunity to flourish. Our workforce is passionate, values‑driven and united behind our Thrive agenda, ensuring families remain at the heart of everything we do.
As part of our refreshed senior leadership team, you will join a collaborative, forward‑thinking environment where innovation, learning and improvement are not only encouraged but expected. This is a newly created and pivotal strategic leadership role at the centre of our improvement and innovation journey. As Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation (Children's Services) – one of three Heads of Function within the service – you will shape, drive and oversee our approach to quality assurance, performance, practice development and specialist services across early help, family help, social work and wider children's services.
Responsibilities
- You will provide leadership across key statutory and system functions, including:
- Quality assurance and performance frameworks
- Inspection preparation and ongoing regulatory readiness
- Independent Reviewing Service and LADO
- Practice Development, Improvement and Innovation
- Workforce planning and workforce development, learning and the Social Work Academy
- Children's participation and engagement
- Domestic abuse and specialist service delivery
- Partnerships and contributing to multi‑agency safeguarding arrangements
You will contribute to continued strengthening of an environment in which our practitioners and managers feel supported, valued and equipped to deliver high quality relational practice to improve outcomes for children. You will play a key role in shaping our Families First transformation programme; support the evaluation of our test‑and‑learn team, enabling us to understand "what good looks like" using insight, evidence and learning to shape our future practice model as we move forward with wider social care reforms. You will work closely with our newly appointed Service Director and senior leaders across the system to embed a strong culture of continuous learning, relational practice and high expectations. Your leadership will ensure that children's voices and lived experience remain central to service development, decision‑making and improvement.
You Will Bring
- A professional social work qualification and Social Work England registration
- Significant senior leadership experience in children's social care/early help
- A strong track record in quality assurance, service improvement and regulatory readiness
- Deep knowledge of safeguarding legislation, social work theory and national policy
- Experience leading multiagency partnerships and complex portfolio areas
- The ability to analyse complex information and provide clear strategic insight
- A collaborative, curious and influential leadership style
- Commitment to relational, strength‑based and trauma‑informed practice
Above all, you will be passionate about improving outcomes for children and ensuring their voices shape practice, culture and decision‑making. This is a high‑profile leadership role with genuine scope to shape culture, strengthen practice and influence outcomes across the whole system.
What’s In It For You
- Competitive salary – a fair and transparent pay structure that reflects your skills, experience and leadership contribution.
- Outstanding Local Government Pension Scheme – a highly regarded, secure pension with generous employer contributions.
- Generous annual leave – 32 days of annual leave (including 2 fixed days), with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days.
- Hybrid and flexible working – Senior leaders work on a hybrid basis, spending 60% of their time at Gateshead Civic Centre, supporting effective collaboration, visibility and leadership while maintaining flexibility and balance.
- Learning and development – Extensive professional development opportunities, including leadership programmes, system‑wide learning and Social Work Academy support.
- Health and wellbeing support – Access to mental health resources, occupational health, and discounted gym membership through our partner GLL.
- Cycle to Work scheme – A tax‑efficient way to stay active while saving money.
- Electric and hybrid car scheme – A cost‑effective and environmentally friendly salary sacrifice scheme (after 12 months' service), enabling access to brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicles.
- Exclusive discounts and salary‑sacrifice options – Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on retail, travel and everyday purchases, plus salary‑sacrifice options for white goods, electronics and more (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. At Gateshead Council we are an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, whose identity is truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all. We’ll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. 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.
How to apply
To discuss the role or apply, please visit our dedicated campaign site. For an informal confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact our recruitment partners – The Resourcing Solution: Charlotte Wilkinson on 07483 103301 or email Penny Keatings on 07811 411462. Please submit one Microsoft Word document that details a comprehensive CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role. Please do not submit PDFs. It is important that your written application fully addresses the experience criteria. Applications should be emailed to include your full contact details (phone, email, address), full employment history (name of employer, job titles, dates of employment and salary), full education history (qualification, grade, dates and place of study), explanation of any gaps in employment and the contact details of at least two referees including your current / most recent employer indicating whether you consent to us contacting each referee prior to interview. Please also provide details of your current salary and notice period. If successful, you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure.
Closing date: Sunday 15 March 2026 (midnight)
Longlisting: Wednesday 18 March 2026
Assessment Event: Friday 27 March 2026 (in person - Gateshead)
Post Primary Teacher - Biology in Gateshead employer: Gateshead Council
At Gateshead, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our commitment to professional development is evident through extensive training opportunities and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, including a generous pension scheme and flexible working arrangements. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families while enjoying a collaborative culture that values innovation and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Post Primary Teacher - Biology in Gateshead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who work in children's services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Gateshead's values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just passionate about teaching biology but also about contributing to our Thrive agenda and improving outcomes for children.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your leadership experience and how it aligns with our commitment to quality assurance and innovation in children's services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Gateshead.
We think you need these skills to ace Post Primary Teacher - Biology in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Post Primary Teacher - Biology. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with our commitment to helping children thrive. We want to see how you can contribute to our vision!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about improving outcomes for children and how your experience aligns with our Thrive agenda. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm show!
Follow the Application Guidelines:Stick to the application guidelines we've provided. Submit your application as a single Microsoft Word document, and make sure to include all the necessary details like your employment history and referees. We appreciate attention to detail!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our dedicated campaign site! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gateshead Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with quality assurance frameworks and safeguarding legislation, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion
Gateshead is all about improving outcomes for children, so be ready to share specific examples of how you've made a difference in your previous roles. Highlight your commitment to relational and trauma-informed practice to resonate with their values.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations related to children's services. Think through scenarios involving multi-agency partnerships or service improvement, and prepare structured responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready. Inquire about their approach to continuous learning and how they support staff development. This shows your genuine interest in the role and aligns with their vision for innovation and improvement.
