Starting work with us

Overview

If you have been offered a job with us or are wishing to work with us, this guide is for you.

Welcome to South Tyneside Council. We are happy that you have chosen to come and work with us. Your passion, skills, and experience will make a real difference to the people we serve. 

We care about our people. We want to support you to be your best and we have a lot to offer you. This includes:

  • great benefits
  • wellbeing support
  • training and courses
  • career path guidance

These pages are here to help you prepare for starting your job with us.

Your manager is also here to support you before you start, so feel free to contact them for support and guidance.

About the Council

At South Tyneside Council, we care about our employees. Our goals are to:

"Attract, recruit and retain talented and motivated people who embody our values and behaviours, to deliver our core services and ambitious programme of transformation."

We want the Council to be a workplace where:

  • our employees are our most valuable resource
  • our work is rewarding and makes a real difference to local residents
  • employees are supported to develop skills and gain knowledge
  • all backgrounds, abilities, and personalities are valued
  • everyone is treated as an equal with respect
  • we have a positive, flexible working culture that supports employee health and wellbeing
  • employees have the resources and support needed to do their jobs effectively
  • employees take responsibility for their work and results
  • different views are listened to and contributions recognised
  • we work as a team to achieve shared goals

As of October 2023: 

  • We employ 4790 people (excluding casual workers), a full time equivalent of 4072.
  • 57% of these work in the Council and 43% work in Schools.
  • We employ approximately 350 casual workers.
  • 28% of our employees work flexibly through: job shares, part time work, flexi retirement, term time working.

You will be amazed at the services the Council delivers in a typical year. See Our Vision for some interesting facts about how much we deliver.

As a result, we have a wide range of jobs and career paths to offer. 

Below you will find useful information on how the Council is made up, as well as our Vision, Ambitions, Values and Behaviours:

Our Vision and Ambitions give us areas to focus on and help us make the biggest difference to the lives of our residents.

Our Values and Behaviours are the things that matter most to us in terms of how we behave and work. They are our guiding principles, and they apply to every person who works for or represents South Tyneside Council.

Here is a welcome message from Jonathan Tew, Chief Executive.

About South Tyneside

South Tyneside has a fascinating past, inspirational present and an exciting future.

Immersed in history and yet bursting with contemporary energy, South Tyneside offers a diversity of beaches, family fun, a heritage that is deeply enriching, and a mix of towns and villages.

With cultural hotspots and a year round programme of events, South Tyneside has something for everyone.

Did you know that:

  • South Tyneside has a population of 147,800
  • 93% of South Tyneside education providers are classed as good or outstanding by Ofsted
  • South Tyneside Council economy has an annual value of £1.84 billion
  • We hosted 6.3 million visitors in 2022

For more information on South Tyneside, see Visit South Tyneside and Our South Tyneside report 2024.

 

 

Your next steps

Before you start with us, you will need to complete a number of forms. The forms will be emailed to you.

For information on how to complete them, see information for new employees.

Our pages on getting started in your new role will provide you with information on questions to ask before you start, what your first day will look like and more on the induction process. 

Probation period

You will have to complete a probationary period when you start your new job. The probationary period will last six months and can be extended in certain circumstances.

A probationary period tells us whether you are suitable for the role and able to do the job.

As part of this, your manager will meet with you regularly to talk about your progress and give you the opportunity to discuss any issues.

At the end of the probationary period, your manager will tell you the outcome. This will be confirmed by a letter from the HR Operations team.

Probation applies to all employees new to South Tyneside Council, including those joining from other Local Authorities and public service organisations. 

Further information can be found in your contract of employment and the Probation Policy.

Pay dates and payslips

You will get paid on the last working day of the month.

Pay in December and other bank holiday dates may differ.

All employees have access to their online payslips. More information can be found at payslips for staff.

Supporting you at work

  • Work buddy
    When you start work, you will be paired with a "work buddy". This is a coworker you will work alongside. They are there to help you settle into your new job, guide, and support you. They can show you around and answer your questions.
  • Check-ins
    These are regular catch-up chats with your manager. You can both discuss what matters to you. This can include your health and wellbeing, progress with work, and support you need. This is to help you be at your best and stay on track.
  • Annual Review's
    This a longer chat with your manager once a year. This looks back over your experience in the last 6 to 12 months. You can discuss highlights, challenges, learning needs, and next steps. Getting and giving honest feedback helps you improve and progress. 

Council buildings and facilities

Below you can find out information on Council buildings, staff parking and other facilities. 

Your manager will explain where you will be based and will let you know prior to your first day when and where you should go.

Parking near the Town Hall

The following car parks are close to South Shields Town Hall and require a permit to park in:

Staff car parking

The staff car park and car parks beside the Town Hall are available to permit holders only. 

If you would like a parking permit, please contact your manager.

There is a charge for the permit, that will be deducted monthly from your salary.

The cost of a permit is based on pay grades:

  • Band 1 to the top of Band 5 - £25 per year
  • Band 6 to the top of Band 9 - £75 per year
  • SM1 to SM2 - £150 per year
  • Above SM2 - £250 per year

Please note that a staff parking permit will not guarantee a parking space.

These rates are lower than public parking costs in South Shields town centre.

Council Building Locations

Below is a list of the main council buildings. If you do not find your work location below, please ask your manager for more information:

Staff Facilities

Staff kitchens are available in most buildings. These usually include:

  • a microwave
  • a fridge
  • hot and cold water
  • a sink

Some of our sites have staff or public cafe facilities, where you can get breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. 

Middlefields and our Leisure Centres offer access to changing rooms. 

Lockers are also available at some of our sites. Please speak to your manager for more information. 

Faith room

At South Shields Town Hall, a space is available to all employees for use during their break times.

The space can be used for:

  • prayer
  • meditation
  • to take a few moments of mindfulness

Inside the faith room you'll find a comfy chair and rug.

We have a special washroom for those using the faith room.

New and expectant mothers' room

This is a space for new and expectant mothers to use during their break times, that can be locked for privacy. 

The room offers a:

  • comfy chair
  • coffee table
  • hand washing facilities
  • fridge to store breast milk

 

Benefits to working here

South Tyneside Council is the largest employer in the Borough.

As an employer of choice, we make sure that our employment policies and practices are always up-to date.

For information on our benefits, training, health and flexible working, see benefits of working for South Tyneside Council.

Essential training

Your training will support you to do your job well.

Depending on your role, you will need to complete several training modules.

Courses are available on the E-learning portal. This link will become available when your account is set up.

Some courses may be offered in-person as well.

The following must be completed in your induction period:

  • Induction
  • Data protection
  • Cyber security (if relevant to your role)
  • An introduction to health and safety at work
  • Diversity, equality and discrimination
  • Staying safe with display screen equipment (if relevant to your role)
  • Safeguarding

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB)

We are passionate about equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) and want to provide a safe working environment where everyone feels comfortable. 

That is why we have several EDIB network groups that you can join and participate in:

  • Neurodiversity and Disability Network
  • Women's Network
  • Staff Carer's Network
  • LGBTQIA+ Network
  • Ethnic Minority Network

If you'd like to discuss the EDIB networks in more detail, please contact OD Advisor, Susan Clennell on susan.clennell@southtyneside.gov.uk or 0191 424 6189 or Amy Norton on Amy.Norton@southtyneside.gov.uk or 0191 424 6136.

Key contacts

Your manager and work buddy are here to support you. Keep their contact details handy for any questions you may want to ask.

Here are some other useful contacts: