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Mencap; Birtley; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 14,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts at leading retailers

Health cash plans

Interest-free loans

24 days paid holiday (pro rata)

Job summary

Mencap is seeking a compassionate Support Worker to join two Gateshead-based services on a part-time basis (20 hours per week). The role involves night and day shifts within two supported living settings, with a rota and enhanced DBS checks.

You will help tenants engage in activities from gym visits to community events, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. The position supports living with learning disabilities, requires flexibility across shifts, and offers a range of employee

Qualifications

• Demonstrates genuine passion for supporting others.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Willingness to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Positive, empathetic attitude toward individuals with learning disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred support to tenants in two Gateshead services.
• Assist tenants with daily activities and community integration.
• Support residents with routines, mobility, and personal care as required.
• Participate in rota planning and team handovers to ensure continuity of care.

Skills

Passion for helping others

Communication skills

Shifts flexibility

Empathy for learning disabilities

Job description

Calling all compassionate and dedicated individuals! Mencap is seeking a passionate 20hr Support Worker to join our two incredible teams in Bensham and Saltwell areas of Gateshead.

Your 20hrs a week will be worked between two Mencap Supported Living services. One service is near to the lovely Saltwell Park where there are four tenants, two women and two men aged between 22years and 40years. The other service is located near to the Bensham Grove Community Centre, where there are four gentlemen tenants aged between 30years and 80years.

Tenants across both services have diverse support needs and unique personalities, and they love getting involved in a wide range of activities - from hitting the gym at the local leisure centre, dancing the night away at the Mencap disco, exploring creative classes at Bensham Grove, to enjoying great company and music at the weekly music cafe.

As this role involves working across two services, it isn’t essential but would be highly beneficial for candidates to have good knowledge of the local area, along with a flexible approach to working. Shifts vary and include both daytime hours and sleep‑ins as part of a rota.

Both teams are supported by the same service manager, who is known for being approachable, encouraging, and genuinely committed to staff wellbeing. The teams themselves have a positive and collaborative atmosphere—colleagues support one another, share ideas, and work together to deliver high‑quality, person‑centred support to the tenants.

What we're looking for:

• A genuine passion for supporting others.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build meaningful relationships.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• A positive and empathetic attitude towards individuals with learning disabilities.

Contract options:

• Part-time: 20hrs

Shift times:

All our services are 24hr care. We prepare the rotas at least 4 weeks in advance so you can still plan your personal and social life!

There is also a sleep‑in available where you will receive an enhanced flat rate payment of £64.20

*All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and suitable references.

Job ID: 35482

We are an equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation and we particularly welcome and encourage disabled applicants and those from the Black and Asian communities to apply for the role as they are under‑represented within the workforce.

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 24 days of paid holiday (excluding bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high‑street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest‑free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document and below link with all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

*T&C's apply based on contract

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

Support Worker - Gateshead

Company: Mencap Salary: £12.85 to £12.85 an hour Hours: Part‑time Location: Gateshead, NE8 Job type: Permanent Posting date: 29 Sept 2026 Closing date: 12 Oct 2026