Contextual Safeguarding Intervention Worker

Who We Are & What We Stand For

Skilled support, meaningful change.

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.

As part of our response to Risk Outside of the Home, (from prevention with early help and children in need, to children in need of protection, in our care and our care experienced adults) we provide focused support and interventions, with children and their care givers. We take a joined up approach and work alongside our early help, children’s services workers and partner agency colleagues to improve understanding of children’s contexts and create greater safety.

We are currently recruiting an Intervention Worker to be part of our focused support and response to children and young people aged 10-25 years old at risk from harm outside of their home.

• Deliver tailored intervention packages to young people at risk from harm outside of their home (sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, radicalisation, relationship harm) who have an allocated social worker, including children in our care, children in need, and those with child protection plans.
• Collaborate closely with experienced social workers to provide more intensive support and engagement.
• Work creatively and persistently with children and young people who are hard to reach, helping them exit and recover from harm experienced outside the home.
• Motivate and support young people in building relationships with key services that address their needs, such as education, health, and substance misuse support.
• Operate within a strengths-based relational practice framework, addressing behaviours linked to childhood trauma and contributing to assessments, statutory reviews, and sustained outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records in line with national and local authority guidance, uphold high professional standards, stay informed about relevant legislation and best practices, and work flexibly — potentially including evenings and weekends where appropriate.

• NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline or equivalent.
• A current driving licence and access to a car or means to mobility support.
• A strong understanding of different dimensions of contextual safeguarding, child and adolescent development (including the impact of trauma), safeguarding legislation and thresholds, current social issues affecting adolescents, and effective engagement strategies with young people and their families/carers is essential.
• Experience working in or alongside statutory social care services, particularly with children and young people who are hard to reach, have been groomed or exploited, or are in crisis situations.
• Proven ability to contribute to support plans, motivate young people to engage with services (e.g. education, health, substance misuse), and respond effectively to complex and high-pressure situations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, accurate record-keeping, and the ability to make clear observations during direct work.
• You must be able to work independently, maintain professional boundaries, make defensible decisions during crises, and follow safe lone working practices.

If successful you will have to apply for an enhanced Disclosure.

N.B This is a re-run of a previous…