Consultant Social Worker

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Pension Scheme

Annual Leave

Flexible Hours

Hybrid Working

Learning & Development

Health & Wellbeing

Cycle to Work

Car Scheme

Salary Sacrifice Discounts

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking an experienced Consultant Social Worker to join the Social Care Academy. You will lead and educate Newly Qualified Social Workers and student social workers, overseeing practice education, supervision, and progression within Children's Social Care.

You will work alongside Academy Team Manager, support cases with risk and intervene as needed, while remaining engaged in frontline practice and developing pathways for early career social workers.

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker with current SWE registration.

Responsibilities

• Assess and support two cohorts of NQSWs in the Academy team for 3–6 months.
• Act as Practice Educator for up to four student social workers.
• Lead group supervision for students and NQSWs.
• Co-work cases with NQSWs to progress plans and manage risk.
• Provide consultative support to social workers in early careers.
• Remain embedded in frontline practice while gaining oversight.
• Maintain oversight of workloads and quality of practice.
• Undertake formal assessment and make professional recommendations.
• Develop Early Career Social Work pathways and development programmes.

Skills

Coaching

Assessment

Supervision

Professional development

Reflection

Education

Social Work qualification

PQ training

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

• Work alongside the Academy Team Manager and Assistant Team Manager to assess and support two cohorts of Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) each year, based in the Academy team for 3-6 months before they transition into permanent posts within Children's Social Care.
• Act as Practice Educator for a pod of up to four student social workers, undertaking their final placements within the Academy team.
• Lead group supervision for student social workers and NQSWs on a regular basis, and support other Practice Educators in delivering effective reflective supervision.
• Co-work cases with NQSWs to support progression of plans in line with statutory duties, including cases involving risk of significant harm and/or legal intervention.
• Provide a consultative and supportive role to social workers in the early stages of their careers and beyond, enabling access to high-quality learning, practice development and progression opportunities.
• Remain embedded in frontline social work practice while gaining experience of oversight, quality assurance and operational direction within a team.
• Maintain oversight (alongside the Team Manager) of the workloads, performance and quality of practice of the student social workers and NQSWs you support.
• Undertake formal assessment and make professional recommendations in line with Social Work England standards and Skills for Care requirements.
• Contribute to the development of Early Career Social Work pathways and development programmes, supporting continuous improvement across Children's Social Care and Family Help.

The Consultant Social Worker role is central to the experience of all Early Career Social Workers in Gateshead and offers a unique opportunity to positively influence outcomes for children, young people and their families through the development of a confident, skilled and resilient workforce.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated social worker who can demonstrate:

• A recognised Social Work qualification, relevant Post-Qualifying (PQ) training, and current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualifying experience in statutory children's social work, including effective multi-disciplinary working.
• Strong knowledge of social work legislation, statutory guidance, national policy drivers, organisational contexts and corporate parenting responsibilities.
• The ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions, exercise professional authority appropriately, and model outstanding social work practice.
• An empathic, resilient and autonomous approach, with confidence working with complexity, risk and professional challenge.
• A proven commitment to practice education and workforce development, including:
• Practice Educator Level 2 experience and qualification, or Level 1 with willingness to undertake Level 2 immediately,
• and Strong skills in coaching, assessment, supervision and professional development.
• A sound understanding of contemporary social work approaches, including relational, restorative, strengths-based and systemic practice, together with a full driving licence and access to suitable transport to meet service requirements.

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 family help and prevention service, and safeguarding and 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. Shape the future of social work in Gateshead. We have a Social Care Academy that builds on our well-respected Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme, which is highly valued by Newly Qualified Social Workers and across the wider workforce, including our Senior Management Team. The programme received positive feedback at our most recent Ofsted inspection, where Children's Services were graded Good, and we have a clear ambition to achieve Outstanding. The Academy supports student social workers from a range of entry routes into the profession and continues that support beyond ASYE to enable career progression and development. We are seeking an outstanding candidate to join this dynamic and motivated team and help shape the future of social work practice in Gateshead.

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience Salary £46,579 - £49,817 plus a 5% R & R allowance
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don't just offer a great salary - we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions - a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services - plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).