Employment Support Worker

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Competitive Salary

Annual Leave 28–32 days

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking an Employment Support Worker on a 12‑month fixed term contract to help adults with additional needs secure and sustain paid employment in the local community.

You will work in a person-centred way, supporting individuals to build confidence, develop skills and overcome barriers, with partnership input from families, employers and professionals. DBS is required for successful applicants.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Health & Social Care, Supported Employment or a related field.
• A full UK driving licence or access to mobility support.
• Understanding of employment support, benefits systems or local support services, or willingness to develop this knowledge.
• Experience of supporting vulnerable adults or people with additional needs in a person-centred environment.
• Knowledge of disability, safeguarding, personalised support planning, and health and safety good practice.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to work with individuals, families, employers and partners.
• Compassionate and empathetic approach with a commitment to promoting independence, choice and inclusion.
• Good IT, literacy and numeracy skills, including Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Take a key role in focusing on the aspirations of service users to find paid employment and related opportunities.
• Support individuals through person-centred vocational planning and skills development.
• Contribute to planning, implementation and reviews of progress toward employment with all stakeholders.
• Record and report concerns about health and well-being and coordinate service delivery accordingly.
• Assist with administrative duties and maintain records to required standards.
• Attend team meetings, supervisions, and mandatory training as directed.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Relationship-building

IT literacy

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Employment Support Worker 12 month Fixed Term Contract, Maternity Cover.

Help people discover their potential and build brighter futures through employment.

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.

Empower, encourage and support people to achieve their career aspirations.

Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council supports adults with care and support needs to live safe, independent and thriving lives. The service provides statutory assessments, safeguarding, prevention, and a wide range of community‑based support in line with the Care Act 2014. Working in a strengths‑based way, Adult Social Care focuses on wellbeing, independence and personalised outcomes, helping people to access the right support at the right time, whether through assessment and planning, enablement services, technology‑enabled care, or wider community resources.

Support potential. Create opportunities. Change lives.

Do you believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their career aspirations and enjoy the benefits that meaningful employment can bring?

As an Employment Support Worker within the GATES Team, you will play a vital role in helping adults with additional support needs find, secure and sustain paid employment within their local communities. Working in a person‑centred way, you will support individuals to build confidence, develop skills, overcome barriers and achieve their employment goals. Through partnership working with service users, families, employers and professionals, you will help create opportunities that promote independence, inclusion and improved quality of life, making a lasting difference to the people you support.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Take a key role in focusing on the aspirations of service users to find paid employment, employment related opportunities and vocational learning to enable them to lead fulfilling lives in the community.
• Support individuals with diverse care and support needs through person‑centred vocational planning, empowering them to achieve their goals, develop new skills, build confidence and engage in meaningful opportunities.
• Contribute to the planning, implementation and regular reviews of their progress towards and in employment, working with the service user, carers, employers, GATES Team Leader and other key people involved in the service users care and support.
• Accurately record and report any concerns or changes in the service users’ health and well‑being, including any behaviours of concern. Communicating effectively with colleagues, carers, employers and other professionals in order to share knowledge appropriately, seeking advice and coordinating effective service delivery.
• Support the administrative duties within the service as directed and in accordance with established policies and procedures, ensuring records are maintained to a satisfactory standard.
• Actively participate in team meetings, supervisions, Achievement and Development meetings. Attending all training as directed by the GATES Team Leader in accordance with mandatory training requirements and best practice.
• Deliver good quality, safe working practices and adhere to the quality assurance processes of the service. In accordance with the Quality Assurance Framework and best practice requirements of the Council. The service strives to follow the Supported employment fidelity model of good practice.
• To work independently in a hybrid manner and within a team, across the local area to secure employment opportunities for service users and maintain the work situations long term, to support the service.
• To research employment situations and liaise with, and support, employers while monitoring the employees in the workplace to develop and maintain strong professional relationships.

What You’ll Bring

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Health & Social Care, Supported Employment or a related field, or willingness to work towards this qualification.
• A full UK driving licence or access to mobility support.
• An understanding of employment support, benefits systems or local support services, or a willingness to develop this knowledge.
• Experience of supporting vulnerable adults or people with additional needs in a person‑centred environment.
• Knowledge of disability, safeguarding, personalised support planning, and health and safety good practice.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work effectively with individuals, families, employers and partner organisations.
• A compassionate and empathetic approach, with a genuine commitment to promoting independence, choice and inclusion.
• Good IT, literacy and numeracy skills, including the use of Microsoft Office applications and digital systems.

If successful, this role requires a DBS and 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.