Who we are & what we stand for
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.
We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
We are looking for someone to join Housing Services in the role of Housing Support Worker based in various locations throughout Gateshead and employed directly by Gateshead Council.
The team work with vulnerable households across the borough of Gateshead assessing their support needs and working with those customers to provide a suitable support package through the provision of direct support or through multi agency working to ensure their support needs are fully met.
Please note: This is a fixed term contract position until 01/06/2028
About the role
You will provide practical and emotional support to vulnerable customers, assisting with issues around finances, health, housing, life skills, personal safety, legal issues, substance misuse, children, employment, training and education as examples. This practical support will aim to reduce the risk of homeless and promote sustainable independent living. For this role you will be expected to have experience of working with vulnerable people.
As a housing support worker, you will be expected to use effective risk assessment tools to identify risks and undertake appropriate actions. This role will require you to have experience of assessing need and documenting support demonstrating outcomes achieved.
The role requires you to work with others including working within a multi-agency framework, communicating effectively with colleagues, other professionals and clients ensuring that there is a co-ordinated response to support and you will be required to have experience of working in this way.
You will be required to demonstrate in your role a positive, diverse and inclusive attitude to both internal and external customers and colleagues and having effective communication skills is vital in this role with experience of working in a non - judgemental way.
There are performance and monitoring requirements within this role, and you will be expected to comply with systems in place to monitor data and outcomes. This will include completing support paperwork to a high standard. Having effective time management skills and IT skills are also essential for this role.
It is vital that you adhere to both service and Council policies and procedures regarding working practices and service delivery. The postholder will need to have knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures, data protection and confidentiality as well as having experience and knowledge of Professional Boundaries.
This post will be subject to a DBS check via the disclosure and barring service.
What you'll need to be successful:
Knowledge
* Data protection and confidentiality
* Safeguarding policies and procedures
o Including Child Protection and Safeguarding Adults
* Working knowledge of Word and Excel
* Understanding of equality and diversity in the workplace
Qualifications
* 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grades 94 / AC (including Maths and English),
or relevant demonstratable experience
Experience
* Working with vulnerable people
* Assessing need and documenting support
* Working within a multiagency framework
* Time management skills
* Effective communication skills
* Working in a nonjudgemental way
* Working within professional boundaries
What’s in it for you
* Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
* Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
* Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
* Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
* Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
* Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
* Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
* Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
* Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
* Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (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.
How to apply
You can apply online using the link below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.