Fixed term post for 3 years
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.
Preventing homelessness. Restoring families. Changing futures
This is a joint-funded role between Children’s Services and Housing, working at the critical intersection of safeguarding and homelessness prevention for young people aged 16 and 17. The service is committed to a child-centred, relational and trauma-informed approach, supporting young people in crisis while working closely with families, carers and multi-agency partners. The focus is on early intervention, stabilising home environments, and ensuring young people have safe, appropriate accommodation where necessary, enabling them to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes.
Where housing meets safeguardingmake your impact here.
What You Will Get To Do
- Deliver both crisis and planned interventions for young people aged 1617 presenting as homeless
- Work alongside key workers using a child-centred, relational and trauma-aware approach
- Provide crisis intervention to stabilise relationships and reduce the risk of family or home breakdown
- Facilitate family mediation and restorative conversations to improve communication and resolve conflict
- Support parents and carers with practical strategies to manage challenging behaviour and strengthen relationships
- Undertake assessments of young people’s needs, supporting them to remain safely within family or connected networks where possible
- Ensure young people understand their rights, entitlements and access to advocacy
- Secure safe and suitable accommodation where returning home is not possible
- Act as a SAILS (Supported and Independent Living Service) Panel member, attending bi-weekly panels to assess referrals and determine appropriate living arrangements
- Develop and implement intervention plans in partnership with young people and allocated workers
- Participate in multi-agency meetings including Care Team Meetings, Child Protection Conferences, Child in Need Reviews and strategy meetings
- Prepare written reports and updates to support professional decision-making and care planning
- Maintain accurate and timely case records across housing and children’s services systems
Join a team that puts young people first
What You Will Bring
- Strong working knowledge of legislation relating to 16/17-year-old young people presenting as homeless and safeguarding processes
- Understanding of crisis intervention strategies and how to apply them effectively
- Significant experience working with children and young people who are considered “hard to reach”
- Proven ability to engage families and deliver positive, sustainable outcomes
- A child-centred, relational and trauma-responsive approach to practice
- Excellent, flexible communication skills with the ability to adapt for different audiences, alongside strong teamwork and independent working capability
- Relevant Level 3 qualification (or above) and a full driving licence
If successful you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure
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.
