Initial Contact Coordinator X3

**We’re looking for an Initial Contact Coordinator, Interested?**

Do you want a role where you’re recognised for what you do, given the opportunity to thrive and have the chance to be the best version of yourself? Interested in joining a great organisation with an employee offer and experience that rivals others? Are you looking for a new challenge in Adult Social Care? If so, please keep reading as you’re just what we’re looking for

**The team**

Our Initial Contact Coordinators work within Adult Social Care Direct and form a key role within our Adult Social Care team. We take referrals for Care Act Assessments and Reviews from members of the public as well as professionals and partner agencies for anyone over the age of 18. These referrals come in via telephone, online forms or in person. We are also the central point for all Safeguarding referrals.

**About the role.**

We are looking to recruit Full Time Permanent Community Care Coordinators to our busy Adult social Care Direct team within the Front Door of Adult Care services.

You will require knowledge of relevant legislation including The Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards and any proposed changes within adult social care, a sound understanding of Gateshead’s Adult’s Safeguarding policies and procedures and be able to recognise potential abuse and identify risk, knowledge of community development methodology and a comprehensive knowledge of computer packages including Word, Excel and Care First

You will be expected to have experience of taking referral information within a social care setting, providing advice and guidance, working autonomously and using own initiative, community development work, facilitating groups, effective communication skills both written and oral demonstrating a high standard of accuracy. You will also be required to maintain a professional manner when dealing with people who may be distressed or anxious, have good interpersonal skills, to be able to listen, empathise, and understand verbal and non-verbal cues, the ability to gather, collate and analyse information to form an assessment and plan of action, good literacy and numeracy skills, able to keep written and electronic records and have competent IT skills.

You will also require Level 3 qualification in working with people or the equivalent and/or Diploma in Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) or willing to work towards same

Please see the Job profile for further details on the role.

**A bit about Gateshead Council**

Adult Social Care is on the frontline of tackling the inequalities in poverty and health that our community face. Our Thrive Agenda aims to effectively address these issues and enable the members of our community to live thriving lives.

Working in Adult Social Care is not an easy job, however; there aren’t many that are more fulfilling when you can see the impact that you are having on the lives of the members of our community who are in need of support.

We’re truly committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of service and we need like-minded people who can help us deliver a high-quality service. We need people who want to make a difference, who are talented, possess the right knowledge and skills and who want the chance to demonstrate how good they are.

**What’s in it for you?**
- You’ll be paid a competitive salary plus additional allowances where relevant.
- You can save for your future by enrolling in our generous pension scheme.
- You’ll have access to great health and wellbeing support, including discounted membership to GO Gateshead Leisure Services and ability to use our cycle to work scheme.
- We’ll give you access to a Co Wheels vehicle for work use, saving your petrol costs and wear to your vehicle.
- You’ll get a generous annual leave package starting at 26 days annual leave (+ 2 statutory days) for new employees, rising to 30 days (+ 2 statutory days) after 5 years continuous local government service.
- You will have the chance to purchase up to 10 additional holiday days per year (through salary sacrifice).
- We’ll give you the chance to take advantage of various offers and discounts on shopping and household spend, including O2, Virgin Media and Dell
- Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme offering various discounts
- Access to generous flexi time system with the opportunity to take up to 3 flexi days per 4-week flexi period, depending on the needs of the service.
- We offer hybrid working, allowing colleagues to work remotely where appropriate if they wish to do so.
- A robust Workforce Development offer with loads of opportunities for learning to progress your career and to enhance your knowledge in specific areas.

Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council offers the chance to progress in a variety of roles across the service. Our colleagues had this to say:

- “Gateshead Council are very, very good at encouraging staff to progress in their c