Senior Manager - Quality & Improvement / Principal Social Worker

North East Ambition; North Tyneside; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in North Tyneside is seeking a Senior Manager for Quality & Improvement to lead a dedicated team in driving excellence across Adult Social Care. You'll be responsible for developing strategies, managing service improvement projects, and ensuring quality assurance. The ideal candidate will bring a wealth of knowledge in social work and effective leadership skills, positively influencing a team aimed at achieving outstanding care outcomes. Join us to make a significant impact on our community's wellbeing.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Wealth of knowledge in social work practice and leadership.
• Experience in service improvement projects.
• Ability to inspire and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Head the Quality and Improvement teams.
• Develop and implement strategies for service improvement.
• Oversee quality assurance and CQC assessments.

Skills

Leadership

Social work practice

Communication

Project management

Strategic thinking

Education

Relevant degree in social work

Job description

Are you an ambitious, inspiring leader? Do you have the skills and creativity to drive positive change across Adult Social Care? North Tyneside Council is looking for a Senior Manager for Quality & Improvement, incorporating the role of Principal Social Worker.

We were immensely proud to be ranked 2nd nationally in the 2025 Employer Standards Health Check for social workers, and received a 'Good' rating in our CQC inspection. As a vital part of our ambition to achieve 'outstanding', we're looking for an outstanding candidate to take on the role.

You would head up the department’s Quality and Improvement teams – a new structure bringing together the Practice Assurance & Development, Safeguarding Adults Board & Information Support, and Statutory Improvement (Transformation) Teams, supported by a new Deputy Principal Social Worker role.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing our strategies, leading multiple service improvement projects, and overseeing quality assurance. You will model excellence in everything you do, inspiring hundreds of colleagues to deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.

You’ll be an innovator, contributing to digital transformation, development of data maturity, and case record systems development. You’ll be a strategic thinker as well as having close attention to detail, responsible for coordinating preparation and delivery of CQC assessments.

In addition, you’ll hold overall responsibility for workforce development, ensuring all colleagues receive excellent supervision, support and professional development opportunities. You’ll be a champion for social justice: as our EDI and Co-production Lead, you’ll ensure our departmental culture remains led by social work values, and promotes inclusion.

The successful candidate

This is a wide ranging, high-profile role which requires a wealth of knowledge and experience as a practitioner and leader. You’ll be an authority on social work practice and leadership, and a skilled communicator: approachable yet authoritative, comfortable in front of audiences, and able to inspire people towards change.

You’ll confidently represent Adult Social Care locally, regionally and nationally. You’ll span boundaries with ease: building relationships with frontline practitioners and managers at all levels, elected members, and people who draw on care and support. You’ll build effective working relationships with other departments, and senior leaders across the health, social care and VCSE sectors.

Sounds like a good fit for you? Check out the JD and Person Specification to find out more.

To arrange an informal conversation about the role, email: [e-mail]

Interviews to take place week commencing 26th January 2025

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and an Enhanced DBS disclosure, including Barred List Check, will be required.

Why North Tyneside Council?

Our People First strategy is our promise to make North Tyneside Council an exceptional place to work, where everyone can thrive and flourish. A place where people want to work, where joining our team is an exciting prospect, staying with us feels like a great decision, and building your career at North Tyneside Council is a natural progression.

As part of our People First strategy, we are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our success and the well‑being of our employees and residents. Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued.

Together, we're crafting a workplace that's built on our values and a shared commitment to making a difference. If you are passionate and committed about making a difference and want to work somewhere where you can make positive change, we will provide the right environment for you to excel.

Alongside our People First strategy, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and adults at risk of harm. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to familiarise themselves with all relevant policies, procedures and guidance. Within North Tyneside, safeguarding is everybody’s business.

Require a reasonable adjustment? If you feel a reasonable adjustment will provide additional support in both the recruitment process and within the workplace, please indicate this to the hiring manager on your application. Declaring a reasonable adjustment will not subject you to any form of discrimination when determining which applicants are successful for interview and employment with us.

Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan

In 2019, North Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency. This declaration set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of the council’s operations, and the borough, by 50% by 2023 and to align to the Government’s net zero target of 2050.

We recognise the significant role we can play in the borough in helping to limit climate change, but we can’t do this alone; we need help from all our residents, businesses, voluntary and community sectors and of course all those who apply and work for us. Together we can make North Tyneside a sustainable place to live and work for everyone in the borough.

To learn more about Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan, click here.

Applying

To view more information about the role and view the Job Description please click "Apply" you will be taken to the North Tyneside Careers Portal.

Learn More

For further information about North Tyneside Council, the benefits of working for us, candidate support, and the many attractions of working and living in North Tyneside please see the council’s “work for us