Senior Employment Specialist

Senior Employment Specialist

Senior Employment Specialist – Connect to Work Tees Valley (2 positions available)

Salary: £29,430 will be starting salary, with full earning potential up to £37,610Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2028Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, with one 30-minute early finishLocation: Morton Park Business Centre, DarlingtonTravel: Travel throughout Tees Valley will be required

About Waythrough

Make a real difference in your community

About the role

We're excited to be launching a new Connect to Work Tees Valley service, and we're looking for two experienced Senior Employment Specialists to join us at this important stage.

As a Senior Employment Specialist, you'll play a key role in helping us establish and develop the service, supporting a team of Employment Specialists to deliver high-quality supported employment to participants across the Tees Valley.

You'll provide leadership, supervision, coaching and quality assurance, helping colleagues to deliver in line with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and the requirements of the Connect to Work programme.

This is a varied role where no two days are likely to be the same. As this is a new contract, you'll have the opportunity to be involved in developing the service, working with colleagues and external partners, and helping us build a service that stands out for the quality of support it provides.

What you'll be doing

You'll provide day-to-day support and oversight to Employment Specialists employed by Waythrough and our subcontracted delivery partners.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership, supervision, coaching and quality assurance to Employment Specialists.
• Supporting the implementation of Connect to Work Grant Guidance, contractual requirements and fidelity standards.
• Promoting and embedding the principles of the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
• Acting as a subject matter expert, providing advice and guidance to colleagues and delivery partners.
• Working with subcontractor managers to support workforce development, performance improvement and consistent service delivery.
• Facilitating performance, quality and case management reviews.
• Managing a small caseload of approximately 5-10 participants.
• Supporting Employment Specialists to develop employer relationships and engage external partners.
• Ensuring high-quality employer engagement takes place to support participants to secure and sustain employment.
• Monitoring client satisfaction and using feedback to help improve the service.
• Identifying training and development needs and supporting colleagues with their continuous professional development.
• Supporting co-production and involving people who use our services in service development where possible.
• Creating a culture of continuous improvement across the service.

About you

We're looking for someone with experience of working within employment services, who can provide effective leadership and support to colleagues while also managing their own caseload.

You'll have a good understanding of supported employment, disability and special needs issues in relation to employment, and the ability to work towards and exceed outcomes and targets.

You’ll be confident building relationships with employers, partners, colleagues and other stakeholders, with strong networking and communication skills.

You’ll also need experience of supervising, managing or mentoring staff and be able to work independently, use your initiative and help develop and promote a service.

Experience of delivering supported employment in line with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and knowledge of Connect to Work requirements and grant guidance would be advantageous.

What you'll need

Essential:

• Experience of working in employment services.
• Experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets.
• Experience of staff supervision, management and/or mentoring.
• Good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment.
• Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies and legislation in relation to employment.
• Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs.
• Ability to extract, analyse and report on management information.
• Ability to model recovery-focused practice, including co-production.
• Strong networking abilities.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote a service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programmes, including Outlook.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Desirable:

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services Sector or Level 3 QCF in Advice & Guidance.
• Experience of delivering supported employment in accordance with SEQF.
• Understanding of Connect to Work programme requirements and grant guidance.
• Experience of delivering training.
• Personal lived experience of recovery.

What We Offer

• 27 days' annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)

• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%

• Life assurance (3x annual salary)

• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay

• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days' annual leave

• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications

• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme

• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals

• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus

• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership

• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good

• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk

Closing Date: 2026-10-02