Job Description
Salary £48,226 - £51,536 + a Temporary 15% R & R allowance
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.
Where strong leadership meets meaningful impact
At Gateshead, children and families are at the heart of everything we do. Our Disabled Children’s Team is a specialist and supportive service working with children and young people with a wide range of disabilities and additional needs. The team delivers high-quality assessments, tailored interventions, and statutory responsibilities including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs) and Mental Capacity work.
You will join an award-winning, innovative service committed to trauma-informed and inclusive practice. With strong leadership, integrated family hub working, and a clear focus on helping children remain safely within their family networks, this is an environment where you can lead practice, shape services, and make a meaningful difference.
Lead with purpose. Transform lives.
What you will get to do
- Lead, supervise and develop Practice Supervisors and Social Work practitioners, driving high standards of practice, decision-making and performance
- Create a positive team culture where individuals feel supported to perform at their best and continuously develop
- Oversee complex assessments, care planning and interventions to ensure children receive safe, effective, and child-centred support
- Champion trauma-informed, relationship-based and inclusive practice across all aspects of the team’s work
- Chair key meetings, including strategy and planning meetings, ensuring safe, timely and well-informed decision-making
- Drive quality assurance and performance, ensuring accurate, timely recording and that the voice of the child is central to all work
- Lead and contribute to service development, transformation, and continuous improvement, influencing policy and practice
- Work collaboratively across multi-agency partnerships, including family hubs, schools and specialist services, to deliver coordinated, holistic support
- Ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities, legislation, and internal frameworks, including delegated decision-making
- Support learning and development through supervision, appraisal, and embedding a culture of reflection and improvement
Join a team where social work is valued, celebrated, and supported.
What you will bring
- Qualified Social Worker (SW Degree, CQSW, DipSW or equivalent), Social Work England registered, with CPD and Level 3 progression
- Strong leadership and supervisory experience, with the ability to develop individuals and manage performance effectively
- Significant experience within statutory children’s social care, including complex assessments, safeguarding and risk management
- In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation (Children Act, Children and Families Act, Mental Capacity Act, DoLs) and social work best practice approaches
- Skilled in partnership working, with the ability to build effective multi-agency relationships and deliver integrated services
- Strong analytical, decision-making and communication skills, with a clear focus on achieving positive outcomes for children
- Experience of service improvement, quality assurance or transformation, with the ability to drive high standards and continuous improvement
If successful 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. Salary £48,226 - £51,536 + a Temporary 15% R & R allowance
- 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.