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.
Our statutory homelessness service including our Housing Solutions Team, has several homeless pathways including our Homeless Prevention Pathways for Offenders, Mental Health and Hospital Discharge, as well as Migration, Rough Sleepers and Domestic Abuse Pathways. We also manage temporary homeless accommodation in Gateshead and work with external agencies to provide accommodation and support to people. We are looking to develop our service offer and are looking for dynamic people to help us to do this.
We have an exciting opportunity for a part-time Housing Solutions Assistant to join our brilliant team on a fixed-term contract, on a part-time basis.
What You'll Get To Do
- Act as the central point for all referrals into the service, including customer selfreferrals, triaging these to the relevant team for action.
- Respond to customer enquiries and complaints professionally, effectively, and accurately via telephone, email, website, and facetoface contact.
- Respond to enquiries from partner agencies, Councillors, and colleagues professionally, effectively, and accurately via telephone, email, website, and facetoface contact.
- Process applications for supported housing, including monitoring the availability of bed spaces within the service.
- Arrange multidisciplinary meetings, team meetings, and events, including room bookings, transport and catering arrangements, accurate notetaking, and diary management.
- Undertake customer satisfaction surveys and collate feedback to inform learning and service development.
- Provide general administrative support to the service, including monitoring post, filing, photocopying, ordering stationery and stock for dispersed accommodation, and other related duties.
- Process confidential, sensitive, and personal data relating to vulnerable customers and service delivery in line with the Data Protection Act and GDPR regulations.
- Collate information from service systems to support managers in monitoring performance and service delivery.
- Accurately update and maintain computer records and systems used by the service.
- Adhere to rolerelated risk assessments and report hazards or noncompliance in the workplace where appropriate.
- Demonstrate a positive, diverse, and inclusive approach to internal and external customers and colleagues, with awareness of organisational resources that enhance access to services.
- Administer invoices, requisitions, purchase orders, travel passes, high street vouchers, and petty cash.
What You'll Bring
- Proficient in the use of ICT packages, including Microsoft Office.
- Five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent), including Maths and English, or equivalent relevant work experience.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload effectively.
- Experience of working in frontline services.
- Ability to work independently using own initiative, as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
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.
