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 June 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: Head of Function Children in our Protection
Contact details:
Vicky Haigh
Tel: 0191 433 3413
Email: vickyhaigh@Gateshead.gov.uk
Post title: Practice Lead Fostering, Kinship & Residential
Contact details:
Fiona MacNaughton
Tel: 0191 433 3195
Email: fionamacnaughton @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
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 2632
Email: saracharlton@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
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 2632
Email: saracharlton@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 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
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 2632
Email: saracharlton@Gateshead.gov.uk
The senior manager who should be notified in the event of death or serious injury to a child.
Post title: Head of Function - Children in our Protection and Practice Lead (IRT/A&I/DCT)
Contact details:
Vicky Haigh and Suzanne Storey
Tel: 0191 433 3414 & 0191 433 3989
Email: vickyhaigh@gateshead.gov.uk & suzannestorey@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 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
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: saracharlton @Gateshead.gov.uk
Heather Jenkins (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescents)
Tel: 0191 433 2749
Email: heatherjenkins@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise an application for an Emergency Protection Order.
Post title:
- Head of Function Children in our Care & Resources
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 outside England and Wales.
Post title: Head of Function Children in our Care & Resources
Contact details:
Lesley Thompson
Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: lesleyannthompson@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 Fostering, Kinship & Residential
Contact details:
Fiona MacNaughton
Tel: 0191 433 3195
Email: fionamacnaughton @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 Fostering, Kinship & Residential
Contact details:
Fiona MacNaughton
Tel: 0191 433 3195
Email: fionamacnaughton@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: Interim Deputy Strategic Director and Head of Function Children in our Care & Resources
Contact details:
Kate Dexter
Tel: 0191 433 4931
Email: katedexter@gateshead.gov.uk
Contact details:
Lesley Thompson
Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: lesleyannthompson@gateshead.gov.uk
Post title: Head of Function Chid in need of Protection and Head of Function Children in Care and Recourses
Contact details:
Vicky Haigh
Tel: 0191 433 3413
Email: vickyhaigh@gateshead.gov.uk
Lesley Thompson
Tel: 0191 433 7077
Email: lesleyannthompson@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:
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced
Tel: 0191 433 3195
Email: saracharltonr@Gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise a passport application for a Looked After child.
Post title: Interim Deputy Strategic Director
Contact details:
Kate Dexter
Tel: 0191 433 4931
Email: katedexter@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise an application for a Placement Order.
Post title: Head of Function Children in our Care and Resources
Contact details:
Lesley Thompson (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 2077
Email: lesleyannthompson@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 CiOC / Care Experienced;
- Practice Lead - Heather.
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
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced
Tel: 0191 433 2632
Email: saracharlton @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: Interim Deputy Strategic Director Children's Social Care
Contact details:
Kate Dexter
Tel: 0191 433 4931
Email: katedexter@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise Special Guardianship as the permanence plan for a Looked After child.
Post title:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead CiOC / Care Experienced;
- Practice Lead Innovation, Transformation & Vulnerable Adolescence.
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
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 2632
Email: saracharlton@Gateshead.gov.uk
Heather Jenkins (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescence)
Tel: 0191 433 2749
Email: heatherjenkins@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 CiOC / Care Experienced;
- Practice Lead Innovation, Transformation & Vulnerable Adolescence.
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
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 3491
Email: saracharlton@Gateshead.gov.uk
Heather Jenkins (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescence)
Tel: 0191 433 2749
Email: heatherjenkins@gateshead.gov.uk
The manager who can authorise the change of placement affecting a Looked After child in Key Stage 4.
Contact details:
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experience)
Tel: 0191 433 2632
Email: saracharlton@Gateshead.gov.uk
Post title: Practice Lead Fostering, Kinship & Residential
Contact details:
Fiona MacNaughton
Tel: 0191 433 3195
Email: fionamacnaughton@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:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead Fostering, Kinship & Residential;
- Practice Lead CIOC / Care Experienced;
- Practice Lead Innovation, Transformation & Vulnerable Adolescence.
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
Fiona MacNaughton (Practice Lead , Fostering, Kinship & Residential Tel: 0191 433 3195
Email: fionamacnaughton@gateshead.gov.uk
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced
Tel: 0191 433 2632
Email: saracharlton@Gateshead.gov.uk
Heather Jenkins (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescents)
Tel: 0191 433 2749
Email: heatherjenkins@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:
- Practice Lead IRT/A&I/DCT;
- Practice Lead SGCP;
- Practice Lead Fostering,Kinship & Residential;
- Practice Lead (CIOC / Care Experienced;
- Practice Lead 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
Fiona MacNaughton (Fostering, Kinship & Residential)
Tel: 0191 433 3195
Email: fionamacnaughtonn@gateshead.gov.uk
Sara Charlton (Children in our care/ Care experienced)
Tel: 0191 433 2632
Email: saracharlton@Gateshead.gov.uk
Heather Jenkins (Innovation, Transformation and Vulnerable Adolescents)
Tel: 0191 433 2749
Email: heatherjenkins@gateshead.gov.uk
Last Updated: June 19, 2025
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