At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower adults with learning disabilities through person-centred care and enablement plans.
- Company: Join Gateshead Council, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and health support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying a flexible work environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or willingness to learn.
Be part of a high-quality enablement service that puts people at the heart of everything.
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 adults with learning disabilities to grow, thrive, and live with confidence. 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.
Join us in creating life-changing moments, one enablement goal at a time. Are you passionate about empowering adults with learning disabilities to live more independent, confident and fulfilling lives? Join Gateshead Council as an Activity Based Care Officer and play a key role in delivering our Enablement Activity Based Care programme. You’ll work closely with service users, families and a supportive multidisciplinary team to deliver person-centred care, develop meaningful enablement plans, and champion positive experiences across our community and building-based settings.
If you’re driven by purpose, motivated by making a real difference, and ready for a role where no two days are the same, we’d love to hear from you.
What you’ll get to do:
- Deliver person-centred care and enablement plans for adults with learning disabilities across community and building-based settings, ensuring effective use of equipment and resources.
- Support service users in line with their care and support plans, helping them achieve enablement goals, build new skills, try new experiences, and develop confidence and community engagement.
- Contribute to planning, delivering and reviewing care plans, enablement goals and behaviour support plans in partnership with service users, carers and the wider ABC team.
- Monitor, record and report changes in service users’ health, wellbeing or behaviour, ensuring accurate and timely documentation.
- Carry out essential administrative tasks in line with policies and procedures, maintaining high-quality and compliant records.
- Participate fully in team meetings, supervisions and development reviews, and complete all mandatory and role‑specific training.
- Work to high standards of safety and quality, following quality assurance processes best practice in line with CQC requirements.
- Support service delivery across different disability day service hubs, enabling access to a range of activity-based programmes.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, carers and professionals to share information and coordinate safe and consistent support.
- Assist with the safe handling and administration of medication, following policy guidance and seeking advice where needed.
What you’ll bring:
- NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Health and Social Care, or willingness to work towards it; plus competent literacy and numeracy skills.
- Understanding of person‑centred care, personalised support planning, safeguarding adults, and the importance of quality standards.
- Knowledge of key policies, legislation and guidance relating to disability/older people, alongside strong health and safety and risk‑awareness principles.
- Experience providing person‑centred care to vulnerable people across different settings, including support with personal care and individuals with complex or mental health needs.
- Ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively within a team, and build positive relationships with service users, colleagues and partners.
- Confident using IT systems, mobile devices and (where required) electronic sensory equipment.
- Commitment to ongoing training and development, an empathetic and respectful approach, and the ability to promote choice, control and empowerment.
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.
- 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.
Activity Based Care Officer in Gateshead employer: North East Ambition
Centurion Multi-Academy Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its staff while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture. With a competitive salary and a commitment to operational excellence, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the educational outcomes of pupils and the wider community. Located in a supportive environment, the Trust offers unique opportunities for leadership development and strategic involvement in shaping the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Activity Based Care Officer in Gateshead
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at North East Ambition.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from North East Ambition!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like North East Ambition, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at North East Ambition or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Activity Based Care Officer in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to North East Ambition:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to North East Ambition! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at North East Ambition
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
