Making a lasting difference for children, young people and families.
The Children’s Social Care service sits within the Children and Families directorate and is responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people across a broad and integrated system of support. The service brings together a wide range of statutory and early help functions, including assessment, child protection, family help, contextual safeguarding, children in care, fostering, kinship care, and residential provision. Working within a multi-agency environment, the service is focused on delivering the Families First visionproviding timely, relationship-based and strengths-led support to children and their families. The team operates in a dynamic and evolving context, placing strong emphasis on partnership working, continuous improvement, and high-quality social work practice to ensure better outcomes and life chances for children and young people.
Investing in the future of Children’s Services in Gateshead
Gateshead Council is making a significant and ambitious investment in its Children’s Social Care services. These Practice Lead roles are newly created as part of our commitment to strengthening delivery of our Families First approachensuring that children, young people and their families receive the right support at the right time, through relationship-based and strengths-led practice.
This investment reflects our determination to transform how services are delivered, embed high-quality practice, and build a resilient, forward-thinking system. As a Practice Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading this transformationdriving innovation, consistency and excellence across services.
Working at a senior level within the organisation, you will contribute to the leadership and development of a county-wide, integrated Family Help and Children’s Social Care system, influencing practice, standards and outcomes beyond your immediate portfolio.
We are recruiting to two distinct Practice Lead roles:
Practice Lead 1: Lead for MASH, EDT, and Multi-Agency Child Protection
Practice Lead 2: Lead for Vulnerable Adolescents
Each role provides a unique opportunity to lead key service areas, shape practice, and drive improved outcomes for children and families across Gateshead.
