Consultant Social Worker

at  Gateshead Council

Children are at the heart of everything we do in Gateshead, we are looking for an Experienced Child and Family Social Worker to join our Safeguarding and Care Planning Service as a Consultant Social Worker.
The post holder will continue to carry a case load but will also assist the Senior Practice Supervisor (Team Manager) with the guidance, consultation and supervision of team members as directed.
There will be an expectation that you will be involved in the training and development of the team to ensure the highest levels of performance are achieved and supporting new employees through a comprehensive structured induction process.
You must be a progressed Social Worker (Experienced Level 3) to be eligible to apply.
All Social Workers in Gateshead receive regular high quality, reflective supervision by experienced Team Managers.
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.
Gateshead Children’s Services is an Ofsted “Good” rated local authority and in a recent Focussed Visit in September 2021, inspectors told us that
Gateshead’s highly skilled, committed and caring social workers and their managers in the front door teams provide sensitive, innovative child-centred help and protection to most children seen during the visit. Continuously strong, ambitious and effective senior leadership has resulted in sustained improvements.
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.’
We are looking for an experienced social work practitioner who firmly believes in the power of strength-based and relational social work, who can address behaviours linked to adult and childhood trauma and compromised child/parental relationships.
The successful applicant will 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 will 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 to this they will also have experience in responding to issues of separation and loss for children and young people
Their knowledge base will demonstrate a sound understanding of social work legislation, assessment and social work methodologies, including an awareness of systemic approaches. ?You will also have knowledge of child development across the age group and inhibitors to growth and development.
You must have knowledge of child protection and multi-agency responsibilities
Successful applicants will be empathic, enabling and resilient, with a ‘can do’ approach. They will be comfortable in reaching evidence-based decisions and able to exercise professional authority appropriately. They will be team players with a proven ability to work constructively with other professional groups.
Our aim is to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children and young people. Our Safeguarding and Care Planning Service has a strong and stable workforce, who tell us that they enjoy working for Gateshead. Our staff offer includes a range of training and development opportunities to equip workers with the tools to achieve the highest standard of practice. Our culture recognises the value of our staff by supporting social workers through reflective supervision, accessibility to senior managers and manageable caseloads.
It is essential that you have a recognised Social Work qualification, with relevant demonstrable post qualifying experience, and are registered with Social Work England.A current driving licence and access to a car, or means to mobility support is also an essential requirement of the post. If successful you will need to apply for an enhanced Disclosure.
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across - however big or small - will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.
We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working.
As an employee of Gateshead Council you will benefit from:
A senior leadership team that listens and care about you and your work
All teams based in the same building allowing support not just from your allocated team but all services.
Gateshead has great transport links with the use of reliable and frequent public transport as well as the use of Co-wheel pool cars.
Excellent opportunities for career progression, where you are newly qualified social worker completing your assessment and supported year in employment with the support of our Social Work Academy, or a more experiences social worker looking to broaden your experience of step into management.
Reasonable adjustments and/or redeployment where practical for employees requiring support after illness or due to disability.
A culture which takes pride in and actively celebrates social work.
Employee induction scheme.
A generous annual leave package (increasing after 5 years), be a member of the Tyne & Wear Pensions Fund and be eligible to access a range of employee benefits such as the child-care benefit scheme and annual leave purchase scheme as well as a variety of staff offers and discounts.
Gateshead Council employees can access Health Shield which provides a wide range of innovative products that help to improve long-term health and wellbeing via a health care plan.
Gateshead Council employees can get membership for GO Gateshead at a reduced price.
If successful you will be required to apply for an enhanced disclosure.
During the selection process candidates will be assessed against the Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience as set out in the job profile.
For an informal discussion, please contact Andrew Watling on 0191 4333277

Please refer the Job description for details