Social Worker – QE Hospital

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Outstanding Pension Scheme

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 Social Worker to join the Hospital Discharge Team at QE Hospital, delivering safe, person-centred social work to Gateshead residents transitioning from hospital to home or onward care.

You will assess needs, manage risk, and shape tailored care plans with partners to promote independence and wellbeing, in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• Social Work qualification (MA or BA in Social Work, Dip SW CQSW or CSS or equivalent).
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• Full UK Driving Licence or access to mobility support.
• Strong knowledge of Care Act 2014, MCA 2005, Safeguarding Adults, and Hospital Discharge Guidance, with practical application.

Responsibilities

• Carry out strengths-based assessments with adults and their carers across hospitals, community and residential settings.
• Undertake specialist assessments (mental capacity, best interests, risk) in line with legislation.
• Manage a dynamic caseload and respond to urgent referrals as part of duty.
• Review care and support arrangements for continued eligibility and value.
• Develop tailored care packages promoting independence and choice, including Direct Payments and Self-Directed Support.
• Lead and contribute to multi‑agency meetings and safeguarding discussions.
• Support learning and development within the team and supervise students/newly qualified staff.
• Maintain high professional standards and accurate records in line with Social Work England.
• Work safely and responsibly, complying with health and safety policies.

Skills

Assessment skills

Partnership working

Communication skills

IT skills

Risk assessment

Education

BA/MA in Social Work

Current Social Work England registration

Job description

Be the bridge between hospital and home for Gateshead residents.

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might just 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.

Thrive in challenge. Deliver in partnership. Transform lives.

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.

Use your expertise to shape outcomes every day.

Join a dynamic and purpose-driven Hospital Discharge Team at the QE Hospital, where your expertise as a Social Worker will make a difference every day. In this fast-paced role, you will play a vital part in supporting Gateshead residents to transition safely and effectively from hospital to home or onward care, using trusted assessments and person-centred approaches. Working at the heart of multi-agency collaboration, you’ll assess needs, manage risk, and shape tailored care solutions that promote independence, dignity, and wellbeing. This is an exciting opportunity for a confident and proactive practitioner who values partnership working, and delivering high-quality, strengths-based social work.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Carry out strengths-based assessments with adults and their carers across a range of settings, including hospitals, community environments, and residential or nursing placements. You will use trusted assessment approaches and Care Act principles to identify needs and achieve positive outcomes.
• Undertake specialist assessments where required, including mental capacity, best interests, and risk assessments, ensuring all work is compliant with relevant legislation such as the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Manage a dynamic caseload, prioritising effectively to meet competing demands and responding to urgent referrals as part of duty responsibilities.
• Review care and support arrangements to ensure continued eligibility, appropriateness, and value, adapting plans as individuals’ needs and circumstances change.
• Develop and coordinate tailored care packages that promote independence and choice, including the use of Direct Payments and Self-Directed Support, while ensuring effective use of resources.
• Lead and contribute to multi-agency working, chairing meetings such as case conferences and safeguarding discussions, and working collaboratively with partners to deliver joined‑up support.
• Support learning and development within the team by sharing your knowledge and contributing to the progression of students, newly qualified social workers, and colleagues.
• Maintain high professional standards, adhering to Social Work England requirements, keeping accurate records, and committing to ongoing professional development.
• Work safely and responsibly, ensuring compliance with health and safety policies while delivering high‑quality, person-centred care.

What You’ll Bring

• Social Work qualification (i.e. MA or BA in Social Work, Dip SW CQSW or CSS or equivalent).
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• Full UK Driving Licence or access to mobility support.
• Strong knowledge and application of key legislation, including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Safeguarding Adults, and Hospital Discharge Guidance, with the ability to confidently apply this in practice.
• Proven experience of working with adults and carers, including those with physical disabilities, mental health needs, and learning disabilities, delivering person-centred, strengths-based support.
• Demonstrable assessment skills, including analysing complex information, managing risk, and identifying appropriate services to meet eligible needs.
• Experience of managing a varied caseload, with the ability to prioritise effectively and respond to competing and urgent demands in a fast‑paced environment.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, able to work independently while also building effective partnerships with colleagues and multi‑agency professionals.
• Strong communication and IT skills, with the ability to maintain accurate, timely records and clearly evidence decision‑making.

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.

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.