List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers
Scope of this chapter
NOTE: Consent to life-ending withdrawal of medical support for a child will require an application to the High Court even if all relevant parties are in agreement. Legal advice must be sought as a matter of urgency.
If you are unable to speak to the Agency Decision Maker, Designated Manager or Nominated Officer:
Contact: Secretariat
Email: katrinajones@gateshead.gov.uk
Tel: 0191 433 4422
Related guidance
Amendment
This chapter was updated throughout in February 2025.
Post title: Operational Manager Children’s Homes
Contact details:
Linda Roberts
Gateshead Civic Centre
Regent Street,
Gateshead,
NE8 1HH
Tel: 0191 433 3420
Email: lindaroberts@gateshead.gov.uk
The Agency Decision Maker who makes decisions on all adoption matters (some of which will be made on the basis of a recommendation of the Adoption Panel).
Post title: Practice Lead, Children in our Care/ Care ExperiencedSCP
Contact details:
Chris Walker/Josh Barr
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: christopherwalker@Gateshead.gov.uk / joshuabarr@gateshead.gov.uk
Post title: Practice Lead Children in Our Care Resources, Fostering & Kinship
Contact details:
Lesley Thompson
Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: Lesleyannthompsonr@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the final Care Plan to be taken before the Court within Care Proceedings.
Post title:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead Children in our care/ Care experienced.
Contact details:
Suzanne Storey (IRT/A&I/DCT)
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr(Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the initiating of Care Proceedings.
Post title:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead (Children in our care/ Care experienced).
Contact details:
Suzanne Storey (IRT/A&I/DCT)
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshbarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the change of name of a Looked After Child.
Post title: Strategic Director (DCS)
Contact details:
Helen Fergusson
Tel: 0191 433 2702
Email: HelenFergusson@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the suspension or termination of contact between a Looked After child and their parents (subject to the Court's approval after 7 days for children on Emergency Protection Orders, Interim Care Orders or Care Orders).
Post title:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead LAC (Children in our care/ Care experienced).
Contact details:
Suzanne Storey (IRT/A&I/DCT)
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: Christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
The senior manager who should be notified in the event of death or serious injury to a child.
Post title: Deputy Strategic Director Children’s Social Care
Contact details:
Andrea Houlahan
Tel: 0191 433 2782
Email: AndreaHoulahan@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise a child becoming Looked After.
Post title:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead LAC (Children in our care/ Care experienced;
- Practice Lead Vulnerable Adolescents.
Contact details:
Suzanne Storey (IRT/A&I/DCT)
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienceds)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
Lisa Wood (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescents)
Tel: 01914335196
Email: Lisawood@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise an application for an Emergency Protection Order.
Post title:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead CIOC Resources, Fostering & Kinship;
- Practice Lead (CIOC / Care Experienced);
- Practice Lead (PSW);
- Practice Lead Vulnerable Adolescents.
Contact details:
Suzanne Storey (IRT/A&I/DCT)
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experience)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
Sharon Davey (PSW)
Tel: 01914332749
Email: Sharondavey@gatehsead.gov.uk
Lesley Thompson (CiC Resources. Fostering/Kinship)
Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: Lesleyannthompson@gatehsead.gov.uk
Lisa Wood (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescents)
Tel: 0191 433 5196
Email: Lisawood@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the placement of a Looked after child outside England and Wales.
Post title: Deputy Strategic Director Children’s Social Care
Contact details:
Andrea Houlahan
Tel: 0191 433 2782
Email: AndreaHoulahan@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise any exemptions from the usual fostering limit for foster carers living in the local authority area.
Post title: Practice Lead Children in Our Care Resources, Fostering & Kinship
Contact details:
Lesley Thompson
Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: Lesleyannthompson@Gateshead.Gov.UK
The manager who can authorise placements of Looked After children with external providers of residential care or foster carers from an independent fostering agency.
Post title: Practice Lead Children in Our Care Resources, Fostering & Kinship
Contact details:
Lesley Thompson
Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: Lesleyannthompson@Gateshead.Gov.UK
The manager who can authorise appointments to the Central List of Fostering Panel members
Post title: Team Manager Fostering Service
Contact details:
Michelle Sterricker
Tel: 0191 433 3117
Email: Michellesterricker@gateshead.gov.uk
Post title: Practice Lead responsible for the child
Post title:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead CIOC Resources, Fostering & Kinship;
- Practice Lead CIOC / Care Experienced;
- Practice Lead (PSW);
- Practice Lead Vulnerable Adolescents.
Contact details:
Suzanne Storey (IRT/A&I/DCT)
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: Suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: Christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
Lesley Thompson CIOC Resources, Fostering & Kinship
Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: Leleyannthompson@Gateshead.Gov.UK
Sharon Davey (PSW)
Tel: 01914332749
Email: Sharondavey@gatehsead.gov.uk
Lisa Wood (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescents)
Tel: 01914335196
Email: Lisawood@gateshead.gov.uk
Where a Looked After Child from another local authority has been placed in the area, the manager to whom the notification should be sent.
Post title: Children in our care/ Care experienced
Contact details:
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienced
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise a passport application for a Looked After child.
Post title: Practice Lead responsible for the child
The manager who can authorise an application for a Placement Order.
Post title: Practice Lead Children in our care/ Care experienced
Contact details:
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can approve assessments of private foster carers, impose requirements on private foster carers or decide to prohibit someone from acting as a private foster carer.
Post title:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead CiC / Care Experienced.
Contact details:
Suzanne Storey
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: Suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: Christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienced
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise:
A placement of a Looked After child in secure accommodation for up to 72 hours without a Secure Accommodation Order; and/or
An application for a Secure Accommodation Order; and/or
A child's continued secure placement on the recommendation of the Secure Accommodation Review Panel; and/or
Applications to renewal Secure Accommodation Orders on the recommendation of the Secure Accommodation Review Panel.
Post title: Deputy Strategic Director Children’s Social Care
Contact details:
Andrea Houlahan
Tel: 0191 433 2704
Email: AndreaHoulahan@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise Special Guardianship as the permanence plan for a Looked After child.
Post title:
Service Manager Safeguarding and Care Planning
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead CiOC / Care Experienced.
Contact details:
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: Christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Suzanne Storey IRT/A&I/DCT
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: Suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the level of special guardianship support to be provided, including financial support to special guardians.
Post title:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead CiC / Care Experienced.
Contact details:
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: Christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Suzanne Storey
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: Suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshbarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the change of placement affecting a Looked After child in Key Stage 4.
Contact details:
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experience)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
Post title: Practice Lead Children in Our Care Resources, Fostering & Kinship
Contact details:
Lesley Thompson
Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: Lesleyannthompson@Gateshead.Gov.UK
The manager who can authorise the placement of a Looked After child with a family or friend ('Connected Person') who is not already approved as a foster carer.
Post title:
- Service Manager IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Service Manager SGCP;
- Service Manager CiC Resources, Fostering & Kinship;
- Service Manager (CiC / Care Experienced;
- Service Manager (IT & VA).
Contact details:
Suzanne Storey (IRT/A&I)
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Chirs Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: Christopherwalker@gateshead.gov.uk
Lesley Thompson (Practice Lead Children in Our Care Resources, Fostering & Kinship Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: Lesleyannthompson@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienced
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
Lisa Wood (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescents)
Tel: 0191 433 2782
Email: Lisawood@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the placement of a Looked After child with a parent, person with Parental Responsibility or person who held a Residence Order/Child Arrangements Order specifying with whom the child was to reside immediately before the Care Order.
Post title:
- Service Manager IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Service Manager SGCP;
- Service Manager CiC Resources, Fostering & Kinship;
- Service Manager (CiC / Care Experienced;
- Service Manager (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescents).
Contact details:
Suzanne Storey (IRT/A&I/DCT)
Tel: 0191 433 3989
Email: suzannestorey@gateshead.gov.uk
Chris Walker (Safeguarding and Care Planning)
Tel: 0191 433 2523
Email: Christopherwalker gateshead.gov.uk
Lesley Thompson (Practice Lead Children in Our Care Resources, Fostering & Kinshil )
Tel: 0191 433 7077
Email: leslieannthompson@gateshead.gov.uk
Josh Barr (Children in our care/ Care experienced
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: Joshuabarr@Gateshead.gov.uk
Lisa Wood (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescents)
Tel: 0191 433 2782
Email: Lisawood@gateshead.gov.uk
Last Updated: May 1, 2024
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