Qualified Social Worker – Learning Disability; Hybrid

Social Worker - Learning Disability Team
Hybrid - 40% of time spent working withing the community / office based.
Contract to start early September 2026

To ensure a strong balance of skills and experience within the Learning Disability Team, we are seeking experienced Social Workers with post‑qualifying experience.

Where professional social work meets genuine community impact.
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’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.
Put strengths‑based practice at the heart of everything you do.
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.
Make a real difference to adults’ lives every day.
Gateshead Council is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Qualified Social Worker to join their Learning Disability Team.
Our Learning Disability Team is made up of Social Workers, Assessing Officers, Senior Practitioner and Team Manager who work closely with other adult social care teams and external partners. It is a friendly and supportive team, you will be made very welcome.
We use a conversational approach, focusing on an individual’s strengths and the community around them, supporting Gateshead residents to live thriving lives. Teams across the service provide assessment, intervention, and support in relation to an individual’s social care needs with a focus on promoting wellbeing and independence, helping individuals take greater control over their lives by championing an early engagement model.

Working in this way promotes the individual’s access to other agencies and provides them with the tools to be both physically and mentally healthy, reducing their need for long-term provisions and re-enable them where possible.

What you'll get to do:

• Carry out strengths‑based assessments with adults and carers, identifying needs and eligibility under the Care Act 2014 across a range of settings including community, hospital and residential environments.
• Complete statutory and specialist assessments, including mental capacity, best interest and risk assessments, in line with relevant legislation and best practice.
• Manage a caseload appropriate to your experience and role, ensuring timely, person‑centred interventions that promote independence, wellbeing and choice.
• Review and monitor support plans to ensure services remain appropriate, effective and responsive to changing needs.
• Respond to duty work and urgent referrals, supporting adults at key points of risk or transition.
• Develop and coordinate care and support packages, including the use of Direct Payments and Self‑Directed Support, ensuring best use of resources while achieving positive outcomes.
• Chair and contribute to professional meetings, including safeguarding, case conferences and reviews, and prepare high‑quality reports for a range of statutory and legal settings.
• Work…