Job Description
Service Manager (Principal Social Worker & Quality Assurance)
Fixed Term Contract 6 months
£54,495 - £57,937 + 15% Recruitment & Retention Allowance
Put values, quality and people at the centre of adult social care.
Who we are and 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 just 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 flexible 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.
Innovate, influence and lead meaningful change.
Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council supports adults with care and support needs to live safe, independent and thriving lives. The service provides statutory assessments, safeguarding, prevention, and a wide range of community-based support in line with the Care Act 2014. Working in a strengths-based way, Adult Social Care focuses on wellbeing, independence and personalised outcomes, helping people to access the right support at the right time, whether through assessment and planning, enablement services, technology-enabled care, or wider community resources.
Help shape the future of adult social work in Gateshead.
As Service Manager (Principal Social Worker & Quality Assurance), you will play a pivotal leadership role at the heart of Adult Social Care in Gateshead. As a senior practice leader, you will champion outstanding, strengths-based social work, driving innovation, quality and professional accountability across Adult Social Care. You will provide visible, credible leadership, using evidence-informed practice to challenge the status quo, shape culture and lead change, ensuring that adults and their families and carers are safeguarded, heard, and supported to live better, more independent lives. Working collaboratively with partners, communities and a highly committed workforce, you will influence practice, embedding learning, reflection and continuous improvement while holding a clear focus on outcomes, equality and professional excellence.
What you'll get to do:
- Discharge all statutory Principal Social Worker duties, providing professional leadership for social work practice and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, standards, and professional frameworks.
- Lead a comprehensive review and refresh of the Principal Social Worker function, including governance arrangements, role clarity, internal and external interfaces, and alignment with emerging local and national requirements.
- Oversee a full review of all Quality Assurance activities to support governance, consistent practice standards, strengthened audit arrangements, and improved equality across Adult Social Care.
- Lead on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and carers‑related responsibilities, ensuring statutory duties, workforce priorities, and service user/carer needs are effectively embedded in practice and strategic planning.
- Support and coordinate the service‑wide pathway review, ensuring pathways are streamlined, strength‑based, and aligned to improved outcomes and operational efficiency.
- Provide leadership for service wide pathway review, with a focus on workforce planning, development of a sustainable and skilled workforce, to strengthen recruitment, retention, and professional development. Providing support and supervision to AYSE and trainee social workers.
- To champion and drive the quality of social work practice across Adult Social Care working with services and other internal and external partners to ensure the continued improvement in practice, supporting innovation and good practice.
- To lead and drive the quality and performance of those services within their portfolio of responsibility to ensure compliance, safeguarding and appropriate management of risk.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Safeguarding Adults Board, ensuring robust multi‑agency safeguarding practice and effective decision‑making.
- Hold overall responsibility for the Social Work Pod, promoting excellent practice, strong outcomes, and effective recruitment and retention.
What you'll bring:
- Professional qualification in social work to degree level or equivalent and current Social Work England registration.
- Significant senior leadership experience in Adult Social Care, with a strong understanding of safeguarding, quality assurance, and the wider adult social care system.
- Proven experience of leading quality improvement and performance frameworks, driving learning, accountability and improved outcomes across complex services.
- In‑depth knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory duties and best practice, including adult safeguarding, risk management and national policy developments.
- Demonstrable ability to lead and inspire managers and multi‑disciplinary teams, setting high professional standards and fostering a positive, learning‑focused culture.
- Strong strategic leadership skills, with experience of developing and delivering service visions, managing risk, and leading change in complex and pressured environments.
- Substantial experience of partnership and multi‑agency working at a senior level, with the ability to influence, negotiate and build effective, long‑term relationships.
- Experience of managing budgets, resources and performance, ensuring effective governance, value for money and accountability for service quality.
If successful, this role requires a DBS and 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.
- 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
How to apply
You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.