Team Manager - Disabled Children's Team

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.

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, 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.

• 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.

• Competitive Salary:
  We offer fair and transparent pay…