Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist

Location: Newcastle - hybrid role with regular travel to sites across Newcastle area

Part time permanent role (22.2 hours per week)

Job Purpose

The role of Employment Specialist is to deliver a programme, providing person centred employment support to individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to work. Using a Supported Employment model (IPS or SEQF), the role holder will enable participants to explore, gain, and sustain competitive paid employment. The role will involve partnership working with Jobcentre Plus, local employers, NHS and social care services, refugee organisations, and wider community stakeholders to create pathways into work and deliver ongoing support to ensure job retention and sustainable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Deliver programme activities that support individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to work in achieving competitive paid employment.
• Partner with local employers, NHS, social care services, refugee organisations and community stakeholders to create pathways into work.
• Manage a caseload of 20-25 individuals, providing coaching, motivational interviewing and other supportive techniques.
• Engage and influence employers to create employment opportunities for participants.
• Work to and achieve outcome targets, including gaining and sustaining employment outcomes.
• Travel independently within the contracted region and work outside standard office hours when necessary.

Person Specification Knowledge - Essential

• A relevant Level 4 qualification (e.g., in Information, Advice and Guidance; Health and Social Care; Supported Employment) OR equivalent and substantial experience in a related field.
• A comprehensive understanding of the systemic and personal barriers faced by individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and refugee backgrounds in accessing and sustaining employment.
• Labour Market Intelligence: in depth knowledge of the local and regional labour markets, including growth sectors, employer needs and available training opportunities.

Knowledge - Desirable

• Understanding of Supported Employment either Individual Placement Support (IPS) principles and fidelity standards or the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
• Degree level qualification in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and responsibilities.

Experience - Essential

• Demonstrable experience managing a caseload of individuals with complex needs and multiple barriers, guiding them to achieve sustainable employment outcomes.
• Experience using coaching or motivational interviewing techniques.
• Proven ability to engage and influence employers to create employment opportunities.
• Experience working to and achieving outcome targets.

Experience - Desirable

• Previous Supported Employment experience or Supported Employment trained.
• Sales, recruitment, or account management experience.
• Direct or indirect experience of supporting those with disabilities, health conditions or complex barriers to employment.

Salary & Benefits

£28,925.00 per annum pro rota (actual salary will be based on part time hours)

• 30 days holiday + bank holidays (pro rota)
• 2 days of paid volunteering per year (pro rota)
• Matched Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Discounted gym memberships
• Health care cash plan
• Retail discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing App
• Access to training portal to help support your own CPD

EEO Statement

Edt is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults whom we work with and come into contact with around the world. All applicants are subject to thorough screening and successful candidates are subject to the relevant level of criminal record checks with national police authorities or the UK's Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This will be at minimum a basic DBS check.

Edt is a proud Disability Confident Leader. We take practical steps to ensure that disability inclusion is not only part of our values but part of our everyday actions. We are committed to creating a working environment where disabled employees are supported, valued and empowered to thrive in their role. If you are disabled or require specific adjustments during the application process, please let us know how we can support you.