Care Experienced Team Manager

We are looking to recruit an additional Senior Practice Supervisor/Team manager to our Care Experienced Team (Leaving Care). This team offers support to 16yr olds to 25yr olds to ensure that all care experienced young people receive the care, support and entitlements that they need when they leave care. The team in Gateshead are a supported by an existing team manager and a team who excel in engaging young people in order to support them with a positive transition into adulthood. The team are highly motivated to help young people have the very best start to adult life and support each other to make a real difference to young people's lives.

You must hold a recognised Social Work Qualification or equivalent (SW Degree, CQSW, Dip SW or CSS) and be registered with Social Work England. You must be able to demonstrate ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and be progressed to Level 3 and Practice Educator Level 2.

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 ? Do you have what it takes to continue to drive this change ?

In addition to a competitive salary (which includes a 15% recruitment and retention package) by pursuing your career with Gateshead, we can guarantee you will have:

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, increasing to 30 days 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