Supported Employability Specialist

Under the direction of the Programme Manager, effectively deliver a Supported Employment programme aligned to the Supported Employment Quality Framework standard for inactive & unemployed residents within targeted wards in the East of Birmingham. You will be working on a life‑changing Government‑backed programme helping economically inactive 18‑25‑year‑old unemployed individuals gain employment. The programme will support that individual to keep their job whilst in work. This role will include employer liaison, vacancy generation, employment profiling, job matching and job carving. You will engage with beneficiaries and employers on a one‑to‑one basis to deliver the supported Employment Service.

Responsibilities

• Target the recruitment of eligible clients.
• Target the recruitment of eligible employers.
• Carry out teaching and learning activities required to progress clients to further learning and/or employment.
• Provide 1 to 1 support for beneficiaries and businesses to achieve employment targets, assessment, action planning, milestones, and target setting.
• Develop links with further learning providers to establish pathways for clients into enhanced learning that will support both entry into and retention in employment.
• Assist the programme manager in the development of the Service in delivering opportunities for employment.
• Develop direct links with employers and employer agencies to access job opportunities, traineeships, and apprenticeships for the beneficiaries, for example, local colleges, training providers and external employment services such as available Apprenticeship Schemes, National Careers Service, Careers IAG, Employer Pathways, Adult Education and Skills Training.
• Create client files that evidence entry information, learning progress, achievement (inc. certificates, letters of appointment) and exit information.
• Support clients to access a range of services and activities that will keep them in work including programmes that improve health and wellbeing.
• Assist those clients in job search; provide intensive job support when required, arrange work/learning tasters, volunteer/work experience placements and refer clients as appropriate for further support for training and/or development opportunities.
• Adhere to administrative and data capture protocols which record and review the progress of individuals, evaluate the short‑ and long‑term impact of the service, track the clients progress post exit and keep accurate and complete records of casework.
• Actively market and promote the service through professional networks and official social media channels and externally through community events, networking opportunities, recruitment events and job fairs.
• Provide post‑employment support to those clients who have gained employment.
• Ensure that the DRC's informational resources are accurate, up‑to‑date, and meet the needs of clients.
• Actively participate in the marketing and publicity of DRC and its services including organising displays, events, and exhibitions.
• Collate client information and statistics and produce reports and returns by the set deadlines for the Programme Manager, Head of Services, and funders. This should include evaluation data and measurements of the short and long‑term impact of the project.
• Undertake outreach work at various community‑based locations to promote the service, provide locality‑based support to clients and maximise referrals.
• Be aware of and comply with the DRC's policies and procedures including equality & diversity, health and safety, data protection, equal opportunities, and safeguarding.
• Ensure your own continuing professional development by attending relevant meetings, undergoing training, attending conferences and seminars and by any other appropriate means.
• Work effectively as part of the team and be flexible and responsive to changing client needs and DRC requirements.
• Undertake any other delegated duties as may be required from time to time, which are commensurate with the nature and grading of the post.
• Assist in assessing individual support needs related to work which might typically include help with benefits including back‑to‑work calculations, travel to work, managing health at work etc., signposting for further support needs utilising local networks to help them overcome their barriers to employment.
• Source job opportunities for clients through tailored job search and regular contact with employers, accessing the hidden labour market to unlock potential jobs that match with the client's preferences and maintain the employer engagement database.
• Support clients to access a range of health and wellbeing activities internally and externally, build confidence, increase motivation and develop social and professional interpersonal communication skills.
• Work as part of team, supporting colleagues and clients flexibly, reliably and deliver consistently to deliver effective practice.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with adults with mental health conditions, physical disabilities, learning disabilities or other health conditions in employment focused programmes.
• Previous experience of employer engagement/recruitment and sourcing jobs for beneficiaries.
• Proficient in IT including Microsoft package, client data management systems and social media.
• Willing and able to ensure that equality, inclusion, and diversity is practiced and embedded within the delivery of the service.
• Willingness to be flexible to meet the needs of the service and ability to travel and be mobile.
• Be able to demonstrate Supported Employment best practice in work, including mentoring and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to the needs and barriers of the client, with Information Advice & Guidance L3 or above or willing to work towards.
• Previous experience in a similar role e.g. IPS or SEQF programmes, to work/employability/publicly funded/not for profit organisation with an Employment Sector Qualification, L3 or above or willing to work towards.
• Experience of developing and delivering employability and employment related activities with a relevant teaching/training qualification, L3 or above or willing to work towards.
• Knowledge of the welfare benefits system and disability/employment related benefits and providing back‑to‑work calculations.
• Experience/knowledge of the complexities of severe and enduring mental health conditions.
• A good knowledge of the local labour market with a network of employers and training providers in Birmingham & Solihull.

Desirable

• Demonstrated supported employment best practice experience.
• Experience in similar roles such as IPS or SEQF programmes.
• Occupation of an Employment Sector Qualification at L3 or above or willingness to work towards it.

The post holder will come into contact with vulnerable adults and will, therefore, be subject to a disclosure check at an enhanced level prior to confirmation of employment.

This is a description of the job as it is at present. It does not form part of the contract of employment. Job descriptions are regularly reviewed and altered, when necessary, in conjunction with the post holder.