Experienced Child and Family Social Work Practitioner

This is an exciting time to join Gateshead and be part of our Pre-Birth team. We are looking for an Experienced Social Work Practitioner who must firmly believe in the power of strength-based and relational social work and be able to address behaviours linked to adult and childhood trauma and compromised child/parental relationships. The team offer an intensive package of support to expectant parents to strengthen their parenting prior to the arrival of their Newborn and continue to care plan for the baby once they arrive.

The primary aim of the service is to support parents to safely care for their baby by providing intensive support and interventions alongside completing robust assessments. In the unfortunate situation where assessments determine parents are unable to safely care for their child then the team will progress early permanence plans to secure permanence for baby outside of parents' care without any unnecessary delay.

Successful candidates will be:

Experienced in working directly with parents, carers, and babies in the CIN, child protection and legal framework.
Child focused and keen to support babies to be cared for within their family networks
Knowledgeable in areas of child development, safeguarding infants, care planning, and the legislative framework around Newborn babies.
Skilled in offering strength based interventions and direct work with parents.

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.

We are an Ofsted "Good" rated local authority and in most 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.

We are seeking applications from candidates who have significant experience of practicing statutory child-care social work in a multi-disciplinary way in addition to having knowledge of statutory and organisational contexts, corporate parenting responsibilities and Government policy contexts and drivers. They must have demonstrable skills in planning and delivering interventions with complex and challenging families, formulating plans and interventions targeted at affecting change, coupled with the ability to analyse and evaluate complex situations and risk. In addition, a strong candidate will also have experience in responding to issues of separation and loss for children and young people.

The successful applicant will hold a range of complex cases within a manageable caseload and have a knowledge base which demonstrates a sound understanding of social work legislation, assessment and social work methodologies, including an awareness of systemic approaches. They will also have knowledge of child development across the age group and inhibitors to growth and development.

During the selection process candidates will be assessed against the essential criteria as set out in the job profile. All our job profiles are aligned to the Knowledge and Skills Statement for social workers and the salary offer reflects the calibre of applicant we are looking to attract.

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."

By pursuing your career with Gateshead Council, we can guarantee you will have:

A senior leadership team that listens and care about you and your work

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 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.

A protected time employee induction scheme.

As an employee of Gateshead Council you also will benefit from:

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

A generous annual leave package of 27 days, plus the opportunity to purchase up to 10 days extra leave

Access to the flexi scheme which will allow you to work a 9 day fortnight

Being a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Eligiblity to access a range of other staff offers and discounts such as:

Reduced rate membership for GO Gateshead Leisure Services

Health Shield which provides a wide range of innovative products that help to improve long-term health and wellbeing via a health care plan.

O2 open discount scheme

Virgin Media partner discount scheme

Dell Advantage discount programme