Child and Family Social Work Practitioner - Fostering

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’ll 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 vision is that all children and families, regardless of their background, are at the heart of everything we do – ensuring all children can thrive and meet their full potential.

Our plans for 2026 reflect this vision and ambition! We will have an even greater focus on embedding trauma‑informed approaches, and inclusive practice, across all of our services as we believe that this delivers the best outcomes for children and young people. We are committed to continuing to develop services which are integrated and joined up through our family hubs and that we maintain our focus on supporting the most vulnerable children on the edge of care to support them to remain safely living within their family networks.

Gateshead’s Fostering Service is dedicated to ensuring that foster carers, children and young people receive the support, guidance and stability they need to thrive. We work closely with fostering households and partner agencies to promote positive outcomes, always placing the needs, voice and wellbeing of children at the centre of our practice.

Our service is proud of its national recognition, with Gateshead’s children’s teams and foster carers celebrated for their outstanding achievements at the National Children and Young People Awards. The success of our first Mockingbird constellation highlights our commitment to strengthening support networks around fostering families, and we have expanded this innovative model with the development of two further constellations.

By joining us, you will become part of an experienced and supportive team that values reflective practice, professional development and collaborative working. We place the same emphasis on supporting our social workers as we do our foster carers, ensuring you have the right environment, training and structures to deliver high‑quality, meaningful social work.

We are recruiting for an Experienced Social Worker in the Fostering Team.

• Work within the Fostering Service to support fostering households and ensure the needs of children and young people in their care are met.
• Work collaboratively across agencies to achieve the best outcomes for children, contributing to a supportive and high‑performing fostering team.
• Apply knowledge of the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Regulations to ensure all practice aligns with statutory requirements, including the Care Standards Act 2000 and Children Act 2002.
• Practice statutory social work within multi‑disciplinary settings, applying legislation, policy frameworks and statutory guidance effectively.
• Undertake skilled assessments, care planning and intervention work with children, young people, foster carers and families.
• Analyse complex situations, assess risk, and formulate plans and interventions aimed at creating positive and sustained change.
• Work with families experiencing complex challenges, including separation, loss, and safeguarding concerns.
• Use knowledge of child development and factors affecting growth…