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. Make a lasting difference to children, young people and foster families in 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 2026 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. Supporting foster carers, empowering children your social work can change lives. Gateshead s Fostering Service is dedicated to ensuring that foster carers, children and young people receive the support, guidance and stability they need to thrive. We work closely with fostering households and partner agencies to promote positive outcomes, always placing the needs, voice and wellbeing of children at the centre of our practice. Our service is proud of its national recognition, with Gateshead s children s teams and foster carers celebrated for their outstanding achievements at the National Children and Young People Awards. The success of our first Mockingbird constellation highlights our commitment to strengthening support networks around fostering families, and we have expanded this innovative model with the development of two further constellations. By joining us, you will become part of an experienced and supportive team that values reflective practice, professional development and collaborative working. We place the same emphasis on supporting our social workers as we do our foster carers, ensuring you have the right environment, training and structures to deliver highquality, meaningful social work. Be part of a team that transforms lives through exceptional fostering support. We are recruiting for an Experienced Social Worker in the Fostering Team What you'll get to do: Work within the Fostering Service to support fostering households and ensure the needs of children and young people in their care are met. Work collaboratively across agencies to achieve the best outcomes for children, contributing to a supportive and highperforming fostering team. Apply knowledge of the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Regulations to ensure all practice aligns with statutory requirements, including the Care Standards Act 2000 and Children Act 2002. Practise statutory social work within multidisciplinary settings, applying legislation, policy frameworks and statutory guidance effectively. Undertake skilled assessments, care planning and intervention work with children, young people, foster carers and families. Analyse complex situations, assess risk, and formulate plans and interventions aimed at creating positive and sustained change. Work with families experiencing complex challenges, including separation, loss, and safeguarding concerns. Use knowledge of child development and factors affecting growth to inform your assessment and intervention planning. Contribute to the ongoing success and expansion of initiatives such as the Mockingbird model and wider fostering developments. Benefit from being part of an experienced and supportive team, with significant opportunities for professional development and training. What you'll bring: Knowledge of the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Regulations, statutory guidance, social work legislation, and the wider policy and organisational context. Significant experience practising statutory social work, including safeguarding work, multidisciplinary practice and applying statutory frameworks. Ability to assess complex needs and risk, deliver interventions with challenging families, respond to issues of separation and loss, and work intensively with children and families at risk of harm. Strong analytical, assessment and evaluation skills, with the ability to formulate plans and interventions that affect meaningful change. Knowledge of child development across age ranges, including factors that inhibit growth and development. Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across agencies while maintaining the child at the centre of all practice. A recognised Social Work qualification, Social Work England registration, and commitment to ongoing professional development. 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 39,152 - 45,091 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. 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 How to apply You can apply online using the link below. Within the form, you ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications. We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying. If you have any questions about your application, please don t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk 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.