Support Worker/Driver

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Outstanding Pension Scheme

Generous Annual Leave

Learning & Development

Health & Wellbeing Support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme

Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a dedicated Support Worker to help adults with care and support needs live safe, independent lives in the community and across council services.

You will work as part of the Adult Social Care team, using person-centred approaches, liaising with colleagues, carers and professionals, with mandatory DBS and a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications

• Understanding of vulnerable people’s needs and how disabilities impact daily life and opportunities.
• Knowledge of service user groups and related legislation; willingness to attain Care Certificate or NVQ.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to undertake a Local Authority minibus assessment.
• Experience supporting individuals with a wide range of care needs, including complex needs or disabilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, carers and other professionals.
• Demonstrates compassion, empathy and a person-centred approach, including personal care support.

Responsibilities

• Support in delivering activity-based and person-centred care in diverse community and building environments.
• Liaise with senior staff and report changes or concerns about service users and record updates.
• Assist service users to use vehicles safely, including wheelchairs and tail lifts, with safe handling.
• Provide support with personal care as needed.
• Transport service users using Council minibuses or people carriers to activities and opportunities.
• Attend required training and participate in team meetings and supervision.

Skills

Vulnerable people needs

Service user groups knowledge

Driving licence

Care experience

Communication

Compassion & empathy

Teamwork & organisation

Education

Care Certificate or NVQ qualification

Job description

Support, connect, and empower every day.

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.

Drive change. Support 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.

Compassion in action.

Make a meaningful difference every day by supporting people to live fuller, more independent lives. As a Support Worker you'll providing compassionate, person-centred support tailored to individual needs while playing a vital role in safely connecting service users to their services and communities. This is about building trust, promoting inclusion, and helping people access opportunities that enhance their wellbeing. Working as part of a dedicated team, you’ll combine practical support with empathy and professionalism.

What You'll Get To Do

• Support in the delivery of activity based/ person-centered care for people who have a wide range of care and support needs, and which are delivered in a variety of community and building based settings.
• Liaise with senior staff to receive any information regarding service users and service delivery and report back any concerns, changes or progress in the service user’s circumstances and record these changes appropriately.
• Support service users to safely use the vehicles, this may include, securing wheelchairs and using vehicle tail lifts, taking into consideration the service users moving and handling and other support needs.
• Support service users with personal care.
• Transport service users using a Council Minibus or People Carrier to and from their service and to opportunities in the wider community.
• Attend all training as required by the ABC Team Leaders and in accordance with mandatory training requirements and best practice.
• Actively participate in team meetings, supervisions, Achievement and Development meetings.

What You'll Bring

• Understanding of vulnerable people’s needs, including how disabilities can impact daily life and opportunities
• Knowledge of relevant service user groups and associated legislation with willingness to attain the Care Certificate or NVQ qualification.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to undertake a Local Authority minibus assessment
• Experience supporting individuals with a wide range of care needs, including complex needs and/or disabilities
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, carers, and other professionals
• Demonstrates compassion, empathy, and a person-centred approach, including experience supporting with personal care
• Ability to work safely and effectively, both independently and as part of a team, with good organisational awareness

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.
• 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