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Gateshead Council • Gateshead, England, United Kingdom
Role & seniority: Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation (Children's Services); senior leadership role within a refreshed senior leadership team; one of three Heads of Function.
Stack/tools: quality assurance and performance frameworks; regulatory readiness and inspection preparation; Independent Reviewing Service; Local Authority Dispute (LADO); practice development, improvement, and innovation; workforce planning and development (including Social Work Academy); children’s participation; specialist domestic abuse/service delivery; multi-agency safeguarding partnerships; data-informed learning and test-and-learn evaluation for Families First programme.
Shape and oversee quality assurance, performance management, practice development, and innovation across early help, family help, social work and wider children’s services.
Ensure regulatory readiness, safeguard compliance, and effective multi-agency safeguarding arrangements; lead Independent Reviewing Service and LADO activities.
Lead workforce development, learning initiatives, and collaboration with the Families First transformation, ensuring children’s voices inform decision-making and practice.
Professional social work qualification and Social Work England registration.
Significant senior leadership experience in children’s social care/early help.
Proven track record in quality assurance, service improvement, and regulatory readiness.
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Who We Are & What We Stand For
At Gateshead, we believe that "the strength of Gateshead is the people of Gateshead." Everything we do is driven by our commitment to helping children, young people and families thrive. Our Children's Services are rated 'Good' by Ofsted, and we are ambitious about striving for excellence as we continue to strengthen practice, culture and outcomes.
Our vision is simple: every child should enjoy their childhood and have the opportunity to flourish. Our workforce are passionate, valuesdriven and united behind our Thrive agenda, ensuring families remain at the heart of everything we do. As part of our refreshed senior leadership team, you'll join a collaborative, forwardthinking environment where innovation, learning and improvement are not only encouraged but expected.
This is a newly created and pivotal strategic leadership role at the centre of our improvement and innovation journey.
As Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation (Children's Services) - one of three Heads of Function within the service - you will shape, drive and oversee our approach to quality assurance, performance, practice development and specialist services across early help, family help, social work and wider children's services.
Quality assurance and performance frameworks Inspection preparation and ongoing regulatory readiness Independent Reviewing Service and LADO Practice Development, Improvement and Innovation Workforce planning and workforce development, learning and the Social Work Academy Children's participation and engagement Domestic abuse and specialist service delivery Partnerships and contributing to multi agency safeguarding arrangements
You will contribute to continued strengthening of an environment in which our practitioners and managers feel supported, valued and equipped to deliver high quality relational; practice in order to improve outcomes for children . You will play a key role in shaping our Families First transformation programme ; support the evaluation of our testandlearn team, enabling us to understand "what good looks like" using insight, evidence and learning to shape our future practice model as we move forward with wider social care reforms.
You will work closely with our newly appointed Service Director and senior leaders across the system to embed a strong culture of continuous learning, relational practice and high expectations. Your leadership will ensure that children's voices and lived experience remain central to service development, decisionmaking and improvement.
We're looking for an inspirational and valuesled leader who can inspire confidence, drive improvement and influence practice at every level.
You Will Bring
A professional social work qualification and Social Work England registration Significant senior leadership experience in children's social care/early help A strong track record in quality assurance, service improvement and regulatory readiness Deep knowledge of safeguarding legislation, social work theory and national policy Experience leading multiagency partnerships and complex portfolio areas The ability to analyse complex information and provide clear strategic insight A collaborative, curious and influential leadership style Commitment to relational, strengthsbased and traumainformed practice
Above all, you will be passionate about improving outcomes for children and ensuring their voices shape practice, culture and decisionmaking.
This is a highprofile leadership role with genuine scope to shape culture, strengthen practice and influence outcomes across the whole system.
What’s In It For You
Competitive salary A fair and transparent pay structure that reflects your skills, experience and leadership contribution. Outstanding Local Government Pension Scheme A highly regarded, secure pension with generous employer contributions. Find out more at: https://twpf.info Generous annual leave 32 days of annual leave (including 2 fixed days), with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days. Hybrid and flexible working Senior leaders work on a hybrid basis, spending 60% of their time at Gateshead Civic Centre, supporting effective collaboration, visibility and leadership while maintaining flexibility and balance. Learning and development Extensive professional development opportunities, including leadership programmes, systemwide learning and Social Work Academy support. Health and wellbeing support Access to mental health resources, occupational health, and discounted gym membership through our partner GLL. Cycle to Work scheme A taxefficient way to stay active while saving money. Electric and hybrid car scheme A costeffective and environmentally friendly salary sacrifice scheme (after 12 months' service), enabling access to brandnew electric or hybrid vehicles. Exclusive discounts and salary sacrifice options Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on retail, travel and everyday purchases, plus salarysacrifice options for white goods, electronics and more (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. At Gateshead Council we are an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, who's truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all. We'll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. 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.
Find out more and apply
Charlotte Wilkinson on 07483 103301 or email Penny Keatings on 07811 411462 or email
How to apply
Please submit one Microsoft Word document that details a comprehensive CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role. Please do not submit PDFs. It is important that your written application fully addresses the experience criteria. Applications should be emailed to
It is important that your CV includes: your full contact details (phone, email, address), full employment history (name of employer, job titles, dates of employment and salary), full education history (qualification, grade, dates and place of study), explanation of any gaps in employment and the contact details of at least two referees including your current / most recent employer indicating whether you consent to us contacting each referee prior to interview. Please also provide details of your current salary and notice period.
If successful, you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure.
Closing date: Sunday 15 March 2026 (midnight)
Longlisting: Wednesday 18 March 2026
Assessment Event: Friday 27 March 2026 (in person - Gateshead)