Safeguarding Support Assistant

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Outstanding Pension Scheme

Generous Annual Leave

Flexible Working Hours

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Learning & Development

Health & Wellbeing Support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme

Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a Safeguarding Support Assistant to provide high-quality administrative and coordination support to the Safeguarding Team. You will organise meetings, minute accurately, and maintain confidential records across social care systems.

The role emphasizes timely delivery within statutory timescales, collaboration with partners, and contributing to safeguarding outcomes for adults across Gateshead. Hybrid working and generous employee benefits are on offer.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration/Business Support (or equivalent).
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Experience providing high-quality business, administrative or operational support in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist administrative and coordination support to the Safeguarding Team, ensuring timely delivery of safeguarding processes.
• Coordinate and facilitate Section 42 Safeguarding Planning and Review Meetings with relevant partners.
• Attend safeguarding meetings and produce accurate minutes, safeguarding plans and records.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records on social care systems in line with information governance.
• Work with colleagues, partner agencies and service users to support effective communication and service delivery.
• Support management of safeguarding enquiries, including triage meetings and information requests.
• Assist with data monitoring, reporting and quality assurance activities to identify trends.

Skills

Admin basics

Organisational skills

Meeting minutes

Communication skills

Independent worker

Education

NVQ Level 3 in BA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic records systems

Job description

Play a key role in safeguarding adults and supporting positive outcomes.

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.

Be part of a service that puts people at the heart of everything it does.

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.

Play a Vital Role in Safeguarding Adults Across Gateshead

As a Safeguarding Support Assistant, you'll play a vital role in ensuring safeguarding concerns are managed effectively by providing high-quality administrative and coordination support to the Safeguarding Team. You'll organise and support safeguarding meetings, maintain accurate records, liaise with a wide range of partners and professionals, and help ensure safeguarding processes are delivered within statutory timescales. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organised individual who is passionate about making a difference and wants to contribute to safeguarding adults and improving outcomes for people across Gateshead.

What You'll Get To Do

• Provide specialist administrative and coordination support to the Safeguarding Team, helping to ensure safeguarding processes are delivered effectively and within statutory timescales.
• Coordinate and facilitate Section 42 Safeguarding Planning and Review Meetings, including arranging attendance from relevant partners and distributing meeting information in line with procedures.
• Attend safeguarding meetings and produce accurate, high-quality minutes, safeguarding plans and records, ensuring documentation is completed and shared promptly.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records on social care systems, ensuring compliance with safeguarding, information-sharing and data protection requirements.
• Work closely with colleagues, partner agencies, commissioned providers and service users to support effective communication and the smooth delivery of safeguarding services.
• Support the management of organisational safeguarding enquiries, including attending triage meetings and monitoring information requests and responses.
• Assist with data monitoring, reporting and quality assurance activities, helping to identify trends, maintain accurate information systems and support service improvement.

What You'll Bring

• NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration/Business Support (or equivalent experience)
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Experience providing high-quality business, administrative or operational support in a busy environment.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain attention to detail.
• Experience arranging, servicing and accurately minuting meetings, with the ability to produce clear and professional records.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the confidence to work effectively with colleagues, partners and service users.
• Strong IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office applications and maintaining accurate information on electronic systems and databases.
• Ability to work independently using your own initiative, whilst also contributing positively as part of a supportive 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

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.