Consultant Social Worker - Kinship

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.

We are an Ofsted “Good” rated local authority and in a recent Focussed Visit in September 2021, inspectors told us:

“Gateshead's highly skilled, committed and caring social workers and their managers in the front door teams provide sensitive, innovative child-centered help and protection to most children seen during the visit. Continuously strong, ambitious and effective senior leadership has resulted in sustained improvements.”

“Closely aligned, mature professional partnerships work together effectively to safeguard children from harm.”

“There is consistent and commendable evidence of continuous innovation and improvement during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Senior leaders are fittingly proud of their staff's commitment and determination throughout this period to see vulnerable children and their families face to face.”

“Staff report that they feel valued in their work and professional development and that their personal well-being is prioritised.”

We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a Consultant Social Worker to our Children in our award winning Kinship Team to support children to have stability and permanence with their extended family members or friends. We are driven to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people through the completion of high quality assessments and comprehensive support packages for our kinship carers, who are highly valued and well respected.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about their work and has a real understanding of the needs of Kinship Carers and their children. We are looking for someone who can make sensible decisions in line with regulations and best practice, someone who is curious and knowledgeable about safeguarding and good care, and who is committed to helping children and families/friends to stay together.

• Lead and manage a complex caseload within our Kinship team, delivering purposeful, high quality assessments and interventions.
• 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…