Placement Support Officer

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working

Learning & development opportunities

Health & wellbeing support

Cycle to work scheme

Electric & hybrid car scheme

Exclusive discounts & salary sacrifice

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a Placement Support Officer to help 16–18 year-olds prepare for work, learning and independence. You will work with learners, employers and partners to create meaningful placements and support progression.

You will identify placements, build employer relationships, monitor progress and ensure safety. A Level 2 English and Maths, plus strong administrative and safeguarding knowledge, are required.

Qualifications

• A Level 2 English and Mathematics; strong digital and administrative skills.
• Experience engaging, supporting and motivating young people with barriers.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Organised and proactive, able to work independently or with a team.
• Understanding safeguarding, health and safety in learning environments.
• Empathetic, non-judgemental approach with ability to inspire confidence.
• Current driving licence and access to a vehicle or travel ability.

Responsibilities

• Identify, source and secure suitable work placements for learners.
• Complete vocational profiles to match learners to opportunities.
• Develop relationships with local employers to provide meaningful placements.
• Build partnerships with learners, families, health professionals and others.
• Support learners to overcome barriers to participation and progression.
• Monitor learner progress via visits and feedback sessions.
• Conduct health and safety assessments for placements.
• Support recruitment, induction and engagement activities.
• Attend events to promote Learning and Skills programmes.
• Contribute to enrichment activity planning and learner reviews.
• Maintain accurate records and undertake admin duties.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Organisational skills

Driving licence

Digital/admin skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Motivating young people

Education

A Level 2 English & Maths

Job description

As a Placement Support Officer, you will play a vital role in supporting young people aged 16 to 18 to prepare for the workplace and progress towards employment, further learning and greater independence. Working closely with learners, employers, families and partner organisations, you will help create opportunities that enable young people to thrive and reach their full potential. Make a difference by connecting young people with meaningful workplace opportunities.

• Identify, source and secure suitable work placements that align with learners' interests, career aspirations and local labour market opportunities.
• Complete vocational profiles to help match learners to appropriate placement opportunities.
• Develop positive relationships with local employers and support them to provide safe, inclusive and meaningful placements.
• Build effective partnerships with learners, parents, carers, health professionals and other stakeholders to ensure learners receive the support they need.
• Support young people to overcome barriers to participation, employment and training opportunities.
• Monitor learner progress through regular contact, workplace visits and feedback sessions.
• Conduct health and safety assessments to ensure placement opportunities meet required standards.
• Support learner recruitment, induction and engagement activities, helping to achieve participation and enrolment targets.
• Attend promotional events, meetings and networking opportunities to raise awareness of Learning and Skills programmes.
• Support educational visits, learner trips and enrichment activities.
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of an annual programme of enrichment opportunities that support both social development and employability skills.
• Contribute to learner reviews and personal development planning.
• Maintain accurate records and undertake a range of administrative duties to support service delivery.
• A Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics (or equivalent), together with strong digital and administrative skills.
• Experience of engaging, supporting and motivating young people, including those with additional needs, complex barriers or challenging behaviours.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, enabling you to work effectively with learners, employers, families and partner organisations.
• An organised and proactive approach, with the ability to manage your workload, maintain accurate records and work both independently and collaboratively.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding principles, health and safety requirements and the importance of creating safe learning environments.
• A positive, empathetic and non-judgemental approach, with the ability to motivate, encourage and inspire confidence in others.
• A current driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.

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. Help young people take their next step into employment, training and independence. Our Learning and Skills team is committed to helping young people develop the confidence, skills and experience they need to achieve positive outcomes. Working within Education, Schools and Inclusion, the team supports learners, particularly those facing additional barriers, to access meaningful education, training and employment opportunities.

• 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.
• Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible 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).