Assistant Team Manager

Assistant Team Manager (Practice Supervisor - Fostering)

A vacancy has arisen within the Fostering Service for a part time Assistant Team Manager (Practice Supervisor) to support the management of the Fostering Team in line with statutory regulations and National Minimum Standards and ensure the requirements of the Care Standards Act 2000 and Children Act 2002 are met. You will work across agencies to achieve best outcomes for children and lead an experienced, supportive team where there are great training opportunities to support your professional development.

You must have knowledge of the National Minimum Standards and Regulations for Fostering, understanding of child protection and safeguarding procedures and practices along with an understanding of equality and diversity. Knowledge of Every Child Matters agenda and relevant legislation relating to Looked After Children, including the Children Act 2002 is also essential. You must also have knowledge of effective communication and presentation skills.

It is essential that you have a recognised Social Work qualification (DipSW, CQSW, CSS) or equivalent and be registered with Social Work England.

You must have significant post qualification experience working within Children's Services and be able to demonstrate a knowledge of legislation and guidance in children and families work. You must have experience of undertaking assessments with children and families as well as having experience of writing reports and delivering presentations. There is also a preference for candidates with experience of the supervision and management of staff, as well as an understanding of effective management and leadership skills.

At Gateshead 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 2024 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.

In 2023 we were recognised nationally for the great work we are doing. Our Kinship team won the CYPS award for the team making the biggest impact, our Social Work Academy received a commendation and came second in the CYPS biggest impact award, and one of our NQSW was shortlisted in the best newcomer award.

We also won the Gold award for 'Digital Transformation in Social Work Award' based on the Digital Me films that were made by young people in both the Domestic abuse and Youth justice services. These really are excellent and are a testament to our young people and the teams who work with them and support them.

Plus, two of our foster carers won the CYPS foster carer award supported by their Fostering Social Work Practitioner.

During 2023 we were also successful in bidding for and achieving a number of grants to develop new services for children and young people which includes piloting the new national DFE Family Network pilot; Turnaround funding to support young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system; and the Family Links programme for children in care.

Do you want to come and be part of our award winning, ambitious and innovative teams ?

A stable senior leadership team that listens and cares about you and your work
A culture which takes pride in and actively celebrates social work.
Excellent opportunities for career progression, whether you are a newly qualified social worker completing your assessment and supported year in employment with the support of our Social Work Academy, or a more experienced social worker looking to broaden your experience in order to step into management with the support of our Management and Leadership Programme
Your base in the same building as all social work teams, allowing support not just from your allocated team but all services.
Hybrid working - both working from the office base and home working
A protected time employee induction scheme.

Also as an employee of Gateshead Council you will benefit from:

A generous annual leave package of 28 days (2 of which are fixed), increasing to 30 days (plus 2 fixed) following 5 years' service. You will also have the opportunity to purchase up to 10 days extra leave via our Annual Leave Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
Access to the flexi scheme which allows for working a 9 days over 10
Excellent training and development opportunities
Great transport links with the use of reliable and frequent public transport and have access to a discounted Annual Pass. You will also have use of Co-wheel pool cars and access to the Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme
Being a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Eligibility to access a range of other staff offers and discounts via our employee discount portal.

During the selection process candidates will be assessed against the essential criteria as set out in the job profile.

For further information regarding what Gateshead can offer you please log onto Careers in children's social work - Gateshead Council