At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a real impact by supporting families and children in need.
- Company: Join Newcastle City Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Be part of a team dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Why this job: Shape the future of families in a city that values creativity and kindness.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
This is your moment. Shape the Future. Feel Supported. Belong in Newcastle. Newcastle is more than a workplace - it’s a community. A vibrant, multicultural city where creativity, kindness, and resilience run deep. From the Quayside to Jesmond Dene, from Ouseburn’s indie cafés to our world class universities, this is a city that welcomes you and your ideas with open arms.
We are recruiting a Progressed Social Worker to work within our Childrens and Families Connect Team where children are first referred into our service. We are looking for someone who can bring their expertise, confidence and curiosity to the frontline, and make a real impact every day. You’ll take the lead on meaningful work, collaborating closely with partners to make decisions in terms of how best to help and support families as well as ensuring any safeguarding concerns are appropriately responded to.
As part of our Families First approach, you’ll help drive working with families at the right time in a way that's relational and champions restorative practice which will strengthen families and improves outcomes across the whole system, quality, integrated support.
Our Children and Families Newcastle Connect Team is looking for a Progressed Social Worker to work within our CFN Connect Team where children are first referred into our service. You will need to have excellent organisational skills, extensive knowledge, understanding and application of threshold, a sound understanding of relevant legislation and statutory guidance including Children Act 1989 and 2004, as well as local procedures.
You will be responsible for analysing safeguarding concerns at the point of referral, coordinating information from multiple agencies, and making timely, evidence-based decisions about risk. You must be able to work at pace within a Multi-agency team where you will be committed to providing the best outcomes for the children in our city.
The ambition for Family Help in Newcastle is for families to receive the right support at the right time and at the first time from the right people. The level of support can vary depending on the needs of the family. Family Help is underpinned by relational practice. In Newcastle, we have established a Family Help Service which provides a seamless service throughout the targeted Early Help and Child in Need spectrum.
Within Family Help there is a range of skills and experience delivered by Family Help Keyworkers and Social Workers which encompasses our Family Help Lead Practitioners. Support is also provided by Family Support Workers who can deliver specific help to families. Family Help in Newcastle is locality-based, meaning that professional relationships are established to support families and encompasses 8 locality-based Family Help Teams.
Family Help Lead Practitioners within the Family Help Service come from a variety of disciplines who lead and coordinate support for families. They will work with families to build strong relationships based on respect and work in a strengths-based way, recognising that families, and family networks, will often have solutions to their own challenges.
We’re not just a local authority. We’re a city with ambition, heart, and a bold vision for children. At Children & Families Newcastle, we’re building something special: a service rooted in relationships, restorative practice, and real impact. We’ve been judged Good with Outstanding areas by Ofsted — and we’re not stopping there. We’re working towards becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City and a Marmot City, tackling inequality and putting children at the centre of everything we do.
Families First is at the heart of our transformation in Newcastle. It’s a whole system shift designed to give children and families the right help at the right time and to make our practice more meaningful, relational, and effective. Through earlier intervention and prevention, our new Family Help teams step in at the right time, when families need support, helping them work through challenges they face.
We’re breaking down traditional silos by bringing local authority services together with police, health, and education partners to create a single, seamless system of support. Families are placed firmly in the lead through Family Led Decision Making now embedded as standard practice, ensuring their voices shape the decisions that matter most. We’re strengthening support networks so more children can remain safely at home, including increased support for kinship carers.
Instead of “stop/start” involvement, families will experience consistent, long‑term relationships with one Lead Practitioner walking alongside them throughout their journey. And when significant harm is present, our new multidisciplinary child protection teams provide expert, decisive intervention. Families First is about doing what works, earlier, together, and with families at the centre.
Our values are simple but powerful: Be safe. Be heard. Be innovative. Be supported. We want Newcastle to be a place where people enjoy coming to work, where you feel able to talk openly when things are difficult, where your ideas matter, and where you’re encouraged to grow. We invest in our people because we want them to stay, progress, and build long‑term careers with us.
We know that great social work happens when people have balance, space, and trust. That’s why we offer hybrid working that genuinely works - not just in name, meaning the freedom to avoid the rush hour or do the school run. You’ll also benefit from free parking, excellent transport links, and a pool car scheme.
We want you to feel valued, not just in your work, but in your everyday life. Through our benefits package, you’ll have access to Vivup discounts, including savings at major supermarkets, discounted gym memberships, and a wide range of wellbeing, lifestyle, and financial support offers.
Newcastle is a city full of energy, warmth, and opportunity. A place where people look out for each other. A place where you can build a career, make a difference, and feel like you belong. Grow your practice. Make a difference. Thrive in Newcastle.
Newcastle City Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to building services that reflect, value and respond to our communities. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, and particularly from individuals whose identities or experiences are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
If you’re committed, and ready to take the next step in your career, this is your moment. For an informal conversation about the role please contact liza.sayers@newcastle.gov.uk. We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.
Social Worker (Progressed) in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Newcastle City Council
Newcastle City Learning (NCL) is an excellent employer that values communication and creativity, offering a supportive work environment where your contributions directly impact the community's educational landscape. With a commitment to employee growth and development, NCL provides opportunities for skill enhancement while fostering a culture of collaboration and respect. Working at either the Heaton Centre or Westgate College, you will enjoy a dynamic atmosphere that prioritises the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, ensuring that your role is both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Progressed) in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 Newcastle City 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 Newcastle City 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 Newcastle City 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 Newcastle City 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 Social Worker (Progressed) in Newcastle upon Tyne
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 Newcastle City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Newcastle City 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 Newcastle City 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.
