Who We Are & What We Stand For

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

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.

Supporting children today, shaping brighter futures tomorrow.

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.