Home Care Worker — Flexible Hours & Independence in Gateshead

Make a difference where it matters most, at home. Work in the community 4 days on 4 days off, 25 hours, varied shifts.

Who We Are And 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 just be the perfect match. 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.

Support independence. Change lives. Every day. 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.

Empowering independence. As a Domiciliary Care Worker, you’ll play a vital role in supporting people to live independently in their own homes. You’ll provide compassionate, safe and responsive personal and practical care, helping individuals regain confidence, rebuild daily living skills and achieve agreed goals. Working closely with senior enablement workers and other professionals, you’ll support service users to exercise choice and control over their lives, promoting dignity, wellbeing and independence at every stage of their enablement journey. This is a rewarding role for someone who truly cares about making a positive, lasting difference.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Provide compassionate personal and practical care that supports vulnerable adults to maintain or regain independence, choice and control, while always respecting dignity and individuality.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of service users, colleagues and yourself by fulfilling key worker responsibilities and following management instructions, policies and procedures always.
• Assist line managers in the monitoring and review of service users.
• Provide accurate written and verbal feedback on wellbeing, abilities, changing needs and progress during their enablement outcomes so that decisions can be made regarding their ongoing care needs.
• Use devices confidently to access rotas, emails and care systems, accurately recording care delivered, visit times and medication on electronic care and EMAR apps, and reporting any discrepancies promptly.
• Alert and report any suspicions of Adult Safeguarding concerns to the manager.
• Gain a knowledge of and work in accordance with all policies, procedures, and legislation in place for the safe and effective delivery of the Enablement Service.
• Alert line managers of equipment or services needed by the service user, including assistive technology.
• Attend regular meetings and receive allocated work, ensuring that relevant systems, procedures, working arrangements, legislation and professional standards are followed.
• Attend training as required and develop skills and knowledge in policies, procedures, competencies and expected standards of service delivery.
• Promote and maintain a high standard of customer care in line with Gateshead Council’s Corporate Values.

What You’ll Bring

• NVQ Level 2 in Care, equivalent qualification or be committed to working towards this with our support and training.
• Experience of working in a care environment and/or community services.
• Experience of providing personal care in a social care setting.
• Ability to demonstrate compassion and empathy in meeting the care needs of service users.
• Ability to provide sensitive and dignified personal care regardless of gender.
• Ability to demonstrate awareness of and respect for people’s diverse backgrounds and needs.
• Ability to work on own initiative and/or seek guidance when necessary.
• Willingness to undertake essential training in order to meet statutory requirements and develop competencies within the workplace.

Please note, this may take place outside usual working hours. 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, pro rata to reflect part time.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too.
• 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 pro rata.
• 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.

How To Apply

You can apply online using the apply now button. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications. Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. 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. 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.