Social Worker - Family Help

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Pension scheme

Annual leave (28–32 days)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Car scheme

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking an experienced social worker to join the Families First teams. You will act as lead professional across family help, child protection and looked after children, undertaking assessments and developing plans that focus on the best interests of children.

The role requires post-qualifying experience, SWE registration, and strong collaboration with partners. Hybrid working, enhanced benefits and a supportive environment are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a statutory children and families setting with safeguarding and supporting children in need or care.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle or mobility support.
• SWE registration and post-qualifying development (Level 7 or equivalent).
• Experience delivering assessments, risk analysis and evidence-based interventions.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead professional, managing a caseload across family help, child protection and looked after children.
• Undertake assessments and develop high-quality, evidence-based plans.
• Engage children, families and professionals in assessment and review processes.
• Deliver timely interventions to improve safety and outcomes; promote education and development.

Skills

Statutory experience

Children Act

Assessment skills

Collaboration

Case recording

Driving licence

SWE registration

Post-qualifying Level 7

2+ years PQE

Families First

Legislation knowledge

Complex assessment

Risk analysis

Interventions

Analytical thinking

Decision-making

Leadership

Multi-agency

Mobility support

Education

Social Work qualification

Tools

IT systems

Job description

Salary £40,444 - £46,579 + a temporary 5% 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.

Families First: working alongside families to create lasting change.

The Family Help service is a locality-based, multi-disciplinary team delivering relationship-focused support to children, young people and families. Working collaboratively with partners across social care, education, health and community services, the team provides coordinated interventions that promote safety, stability and positive outcomes. As a key part of the Families First Programme, the service focuses on early intervention, whole-family working and continuous improvement, ensuring children’s voices are central to everything we do

Come along and meet us for a chat and a cuppa to find out more

We are holding an informal chat to discuss our Families First approach and to share the great opportunities that are going on in Gateshead. Come along and join us at Deckham Family Hub, Elgin Road, Gateshead, NE9 5PA on Tuesday 14 July between 8:30 - 9:30 or 10:30 - 11:30am. Meet some of the staff working in the Families First teams.

Working together to help families thrive.

What you will get to do

Grade I

• Act as lead professional, managing a caseload across family help, child protection and looked after children.
• Undertake assessments and develop high-quality, evidence-based plans that promote the best interests of children.
• Ensure children, young people and families are fully engaged in assessment, planning and review processes.
• Deliver purposeful, timely interventions that improve safety, wellbeing and outcomes.
• Promote children’s education, aspirations and overall development.
• Work collaboratively with partners to deliver coordinated, multi-agency support.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to quality standards, embedding the voice of the child in all work.
• Engage in supervision, learning and continuous professional development.

Grade J

• Lead on more complex cases, undertaking advanced assessments of need and risk and delivering targeted interventions to achieve sustained change.
• Take a key role in driving quality practice, modelling high standards and supporting less experienced colleagues.
• Develop and implement sophisticated, evidence-based plans across child protection, looked after children and family help.
• Lead multi-agency working, ensuring coordinated, effective responses to meet complex needs.
• Use professional judgement to manage competing risks and make sound, defensible decisions.
• Contribute to service development, embedding Families First principles and continuous improvement.
• Maintain excellent recording standards and evidence impact through outcomes-focused practice

What You Will Bring

Putting children first by supporting the whole family.

Grade I

• Experience of working in a statutory children and families setting, including safeguarding and supporting children in need or care.
• Knowledge of key legislation and practice (Children Act, child development, relationship-based approaches).
• Strong assessment, analytical and report-writing skills with a child-centred focus.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build effective relationships with children, families and professionals.
• Good organisational skills, including case recording and use of IT systems.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle (or appropriate mobility support).

Grade J

• A recognised Social Work qualification, SWE registration and post-qualifying development (Level 7 module or equivalent)
• At least two years post-qualifying experience (or ASYE plus clear professional progression).
• Strong knowledge of legislation, frameworks and national developments including Families First.
• Proven expertise in complex assessment, risk analysis and delivering impactful interventions.
• Advanced analytical thinking and confident, evidence-based decision-making.
• Ability to influence practice, support others and lead within multi-agency environments.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle (or appropriate mobility support).

If successful you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure.

What’s In It For You

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience. Salary £40,444 - £46,579 + a temporary 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).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation

Please note:

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.

Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.