Safeguarding Support Assistant

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Local Government Pension

28–32 days annual leave

Hybrid working

Health & wellbeing resources

Cycle to work

Car salary sacrifice

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a Safeguarding Support Assistant to provide high-quality administrative and coordination support to the Safeguarding Team in Adult Social Care. You will organise safeguarding meetings, maintain confidential records and liaise with partners to ensure statutory timescales are met.

The role requires strong organisational skills, excellent written and verbal communication, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and social care systems.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration/Business Support (or equivalent).
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Experience delivering high-quality administrative support in a busy environment.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist administrative and coordination support to the Safeguarding Team, helping to ensure processes are delivered effectively and within statutory timescales.
• Coordinate and facilitate Section 42 Safeguarding Planning and Review Meetings, arranging attendance from partners and distributing information.
• Attend safeguarding meetings and produce minutes, safeguarding plans and records.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records on social care systems, ensuring compliance with info-sharing and data protection.
• Work with colleagues and partners to support effective communication and service delivery.
• Support management of safeguarding enquiries, including attending triage meetings and monitoring information requests.
• Assist with data monitoring, reporting and quality assurance activities.
• Strong IT skills with Microsoft Office and electronic systems.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Skills

Administrative support

Meeting coordination

Record keeping

IT skills

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration

GCSE English & Maths (4/C or above)

Tools

Electronic records systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

• 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.
• 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
• 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.

• 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).