Employment Support Worker 12 Month Fixed Term Contract, Maternity Cover.

A flexible approach to work commitments is required in order to meet the changing needs of the service and service users, to work flexible hours when required which may involve early mornings, evenings / weekends.

Help people discover their potential and build brighter futures through employment.

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.

Empower, encourage and support people to achieve their career aspirations.

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.

Support potential. Create opportunities. Change lives.

Do you believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their career aspirations and enjoy the benefits that meaningful employment can bring?

As an Employment Support Worker within the GATES Team, you will play a vital role in helping adults with additional support needs find, secure and sustain paid employment within their local communities. Working in a person-centred way, you will support individuals to build confidence, develop skills, overcome barriers and achieve their employment goals. Through partnership working with service users, families, employers and professionals, you will help create opportunities that promote independence, inclusion and improved quality of life, making a lasting difference to the people you support.

What You'll Get To Do

• Take a key role in focusing on the aspirations of service users to find paid employment, employment related opportunities and vocational learning to enable them to lead fulfilling lives in the community.
• Support individuals with diverse care and support needs through person-centred vocational planning, empowering them to achieve their goals, develop new skills, build confidence and engage in meaningful opportunities.
• Contribute to the planning, implementation and regular reviews of their progress towards and in employment, working with the service user, carers, employers, GATES Team Leader and other key people involved in the service users care and support.
• Accurately record and report any concerns or changes in the service users’ health and well-being, including any behaviours of concern. Communicating effectively with colleagues, carers, employers and other professionals in order to share knowledge appropriately, seeking advice and coordinating effective service delivery.
• Support the administrative duties within the service as directed and in accordance with established policies and procedures, ensuring records are maintained to a satisfactory standard.
• Actively participate in team meetings, supervisions, Achievement and Development meetings. Attending all training as directed by the GATES Team Leader in accordance with mandatory training requirements and best practice.
• Deliver good quality, safe working practices and adhere to the quality assurance processes of the service. In accordance with the Quality Assurance Framework and best practice requirements of the Council. The service strives to follow the Supported employment fidelity model of good practice.
• To work independently in a hybrid manner and within a team, across the local area to secure employment opportunities for service users and maintain the work situations long term, to support the service.
• To research employment situations and liaise with, and support, employers while monitoring the employees in the workplace to develop and maintain strong professional relationships.