Children's social work careers

Targeting Resources to support children and families, to be resilient, to achieve and to live at home together. 

Our Vision drives the work that we do and we believe North Tyneside should be a Borough where:

• Children and Young People are respected, valued and listened to;
• Childhood is nurtured;
• Children and Young People are happy, healthy, confident and safe, and develop as enthusiastic learners and tolerant, compassionate individuals who are challenged and supported to be the best they can be;
• The power of learning is harnessed to transform the lives of individuals and regenerates our communities;
• Children and Young People grow in to successful adults

In partnership with Children, Young People and our Stakeholders we have developed a set of founding principles which are:

Children and Young People:

1. Come First
2. Have a right to be recognised as people with views and interests
3. Have a right to be protected from harm and discrimination
4. Have a right to develop as curious, enthusiastic and autonomous learners
5. Have a right to the best health possible and to appropriate medical care
6. Have a right to live and play in a safe, healthy environment
7. Have a right to an identity 
8. Should grow up in a family and community with equality of access and opportunity
9. Parents, carers and communities need to be supported in promoting the interests and welfare of their children and those in their communities
10. We never give up on a child or Young Person – no child should be viewed as a lost cause
11. Everyone should have the skills to find sustainable employment as adults.

Become part of a committed workforce that is relentless in their commitment to achieving better outcomes for our children, young people and families.

Staff joining North Tyneside will do so at a significant point in its improvement journey. We have restructured our service to ensure Social Workers benefit from being part of smaller teams which enables high quality, regular and reflective supervision and a focus on professional development and well-being. The structure will continue to deliver manageable caseloads and ensure clear decision-making accountability within a culture of high challenge and high support. 

Staff will be supported and equipped to practice using the Signs of Safety approach, use the Liquid Logic case management system and benefit from genuine partnership work, including a truly Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub at the Front Door.

As an employee of North Tyneside you will feel valued from the moment you join the organisation. We have a robust induction process to ensure you are supported in your role from day one. Our senior management team are experienced, extremely approachable and value your input. Your ideas and contributions are valued at North Tyneside and in return you will receive:

• £2,000 market supplement paid in addition to your salary
• Full time and part time positions – flexible working options available
• Access to:
  • Opportunities for training and development
  • Supported career progression 
  • Staff working at Cobalt Business Park can exclusively access the MORE Card which provides fantastic money saving offers across the region plus a calendar of events.

In addition to the above unique benefits you will also receive the following local authority benefits:

• a generous annual leave allowance starting at 25 days and going up to 36 days depending on grade and length of service, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• automatic membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• inclusive family leave 
• occupational health and Employee Assistance Programme 
• car lease scheme
• cycle to work scheme 
• discounted public transport 
• access to Staff Networking group 
• flexible working, with access to work/life balance policies 
• discounted access to leisure centres 
• Credit Union saving scheme
• spreading the cost of Professional Memberships 
• attractive policies for employees 
• annual pay increments up to the top of your salary grade

Children’s services in North Tyneside have been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Inspectors assessed the council and its partners on the effectiveness of services to help and protect children, the experiences and progress of children in care – including adoption, fostering and the use of residential care – and care leavers.

And in the glowing report, social work is described as ‘thriving’ and ‘transformational’, children and families who need extra support are “really benefiting” from the services, while an “impressive level of investment in participation and engagement is empowering children and young people”.

The report also details how swift action taken by the council ensures at risk children are protected and safeguarded.

Inspectors also highlighted the council’s partnerships with others, such as the health services, police and educational teams, as a strength – with its multi-agency safeguarding hub commended for making sure children get the right level of help and protection at the right time. 

Staff also won high praise for making a difference to children’s and families’ lives, while leaders are hailed for their determination to make life happier and better for children and sharing a “relentless commitment” for continuous improvement within the service.

View the report.

There have been positive changes in respect of senior management within safeguarding, and there is a renewed focus upon key social work values and practice improvement. This is being supported by the introduction of ‘Signs of Safety’. 

The views of frontline staff are being actively sought, and recruitment and retention is being given serious consideration. Within North Tyneside there are positive working relationships with partner agencies, this is particularly important and the advantage of being a relatively small authority.  

"Working for North Tyneside Council feels like a big family and everyone in Children’s Services, no matter their title, is approachable and supportive. The senior leadership team are committed to our ongoing development and in my experience have supported me to learn and gain experience in the areas of Social Work practice that ignites the fire inside of me!”

- Demi Sherman, Social Worker in our 14+ team

“I have worked at North Tyneside Council for over four years as a social worker in the Front Door service and Safe and Supported. I have received a lot of support and guidance from my colleagues, managers and also senior management. This has helped shape me in becoming the social worker I wanted to be and has also given me the confidence to continue my social work journey."

- Sharon Curry, Social Worker in our Safe and Supported Team

Add your content here. Don't forget to add your group under Access Category, below.