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.
Two opportunities have arisen in the Housing Solutions Team for the role of Homeless Support Worker who will support households that are living in temporary accommodation. We have two fixed term posts for 12 months.
Reporting to the Housing Solutions Team leader you will be responsible for the day-to-day support of homeless households in temporary accommodation.
You will be required to provide practical help and advice to homeless households with complex needs.
We are seeking a self-motivated individual with a commitment to support homeless households. You will have experience in assisting customers in a wide range of situations, a strong commitment to excellent customer care, equality, diversity, and inclusion. You will be an excellent communicator both verbally, in writing and be able to present confidently to groups of customers, sometimes in difficult situations.
It is vital that you can demonstrate that you have excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to empathise and help others and can demonstrate competence to work on your own initiative.
What You'll Get To Do..
- To provide general and practical support and advice to homeless and potentially homeless people with complex needs
- To work with clients to complete benefit applications and ensure they receive necessary services change to prepare them to move on.
- To take responsibility for Safeguarding & promoting the welfare of children or vulnerable adults.
- To advise clients on developing their life skills to enable them to live independently.
- To liaise and communicate effectively with colleagues, other agencies and clients in order to share knowledge.
- To report concerns and monitor anti-social behaviour to ensure compliance with statutory duties and current best practice.
- To monitor and review support accurately recording information and updating tenants records on a regular basis to ensure that appropriate action is taken when required.
- To demonstrate a positive, diverse and inclusive attitude to both internal and external customers and colleagues
- Such other responsibilities allocated which are appropriate to the grade of the post.
What You'll Bring
- Current Housing and Social Care Issues.
- Safeguarding policies and procedures
- Ability to demonstrate a good understanding of equality and diversity and the ability to evidence how this would be displayed in the workplace
- Full driving licence and access to a car (for which casual car user status will be payable)
- Time management and organisational skills.
- Effective Communication Skills
- Relevant experience and knowledge of working with vulnerable people.
- Working in a care related field.
- Lone Working
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. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. 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 apply now button 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
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.
