Employee development
Our employees are our most important resource.
We believe that continuous learning is essential to the improvement and progress of services.
We will invest in you to make sure you have the right skills and experience to provide a high quality service to the people of Gateshead. We also expect a high quality of social work practice in return. To help you achieve this, we have created clear practice standards covering our core social work activities.
Management support to make this happen: our commitment to you
- we will be clear in what we expect of you
- high quality supervision and in line with Gateshead's Supervision Policy
- comprehensive learning and development opportunities
- commitment to support your professional development
- monthly team meetings including group supervision
- opportunity to be involved in service development
"I was given the opportunity to complete NVQ level 5 in Leadership in Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's services. From there in January 2019 I took a secondment for Domiciliary Care Manager which is my permanent position. I feel I have had plenty of opportunity in my career to progress and have been given support and training from management and my fellow colleagues to succeed in each role I have worked in". - Domiciliary Care Manager
Practice standards for social workers
All social workers should be compliant with the Social Work England professional standards and be able to evidence the Knowledge and Skills Statements in their practice, as directed by the Department for Education (DfE). The professional standards are the threshold standards necessary for safe and effective practice. They set out what a social worker in England must know, understand and be able to do after completing their social work education or training. Social workers must continue to meet the professional standards to maintain their registration. The standards apply to all registered social workers in all roles and in all settings.
Social Work England Professional standards:
- promote the rights, strength and wellbeing of people, families and communities
- establish and maintain the trust and confidence of people
- be accountable for the quality of my practice and decisions I make
- maintain my continuing professional development
- act safely, respectfully and with professional integrity
- promote ethical practice and report concerns
Social work progression route
Our social work progression route handbook outlines what we expect of you, and how we will support you in achieving and demonstrating university work-based learning which is required to progress professionally.
"Gateshead Council put themselves forward to be a part of the Think Ahead programme and so the scheme placed me here. I love the challenge of social work and the opportunity to work directly with people; helping someone to make a positive change and turn their life around can feel really worthwhile. Having lived in Gateshead all of my life and knowing the area well I thoroughly enjoy working here; it's a local authority with good values and a caring ethos". - Mental Health Social Worker
Traineeships
At Gateshead we have also pioneered two new Traineeships in partnership with Sunderland University, which allow trainees to work in a pod model to allow for maximum support and guidance whilst they learn. This fantastic model of training allows you to become a qualified social worker or occupational therapist without student debt, whilst also earning a salary higher than that of a typical apprentice.