At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing barriers to employment and help them achieve their career goals.
- Company: Catch22, a charity focused on improving lives and promoting social mobility.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days leave, pension scheme, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them secure meaningful employment.
- Qualifications: GCSEs, knowledge of supported employment, and experience with disadvantaged groups.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Company Description
Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'. We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.
The Catch22 Employability division provides skills and employability provision on a range of programmes, both public and corporate funded. We pride ourselves on supporting the most disadvantaged in society to improve their prospects resulting in improved social mobility and sustainable positive change.
Job Description
Our Employability division is expanding due to the procurement of a new Liverpool Connect to Work contract, and we therefore look to welcome an Employment Specialist into our experienced team. This role is often referred to as a career coach. You will report into a Team Leader within the Catch22 Employability division. As an Employment Specialist, you will play a vital role in supporting individuals facing barriers to employment, education and training to achieve their career aspirations and build brighter futures. The Supported Employment Specialist will deliver high-quality, person-centred employment support in line with the SEQF fidelity model. This role is focused on enabling people with disabilities, learning difficulties/disabilities, neuro-diverse conditions, poor mental health or individuals from other disadvantaged and/or complex backgrounds to prepare for, secure, and sustain meaningful paid employment aligned with their goals, while promoting inclusion, independence, and long-term wellbeing.
The role combines one-to-one support, employer engagement, collaboration with multidisciplinary mental health teams/community organisations and promote integration with Region’s Employability network.
Key duties:
- Deliver personalised, strengths-based employment support to individuals facing barriers to employment, education and training.
- Build trusted relationships with participants to identify aspirations, develop vocational goals and support progression into sustainable outcomes.
- Apply supported employment principles, including vocational profiling, job matching, rapid job search and in-work support, to achieve positive participant outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with employers, referral partners and community organisations to create opportunities and remove barriers to progression.
Qualifications
We will need you to have:
- Five GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C/4 or above.
- Knowledge of supported employment principles and employer engagement techniques.
- Qualification in Supported Employment/IPS or work towards achievement within 9 months.
- Experience with learning disabilities/ASD/mental health/complex health challenges and/or disadvantaged groups.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience delivering supported employment services.
- Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) skills – IEP Level 2/3.
- Understanding of welfare benefits and employment legislation.
Additional Information
Salary: £30,000
Contract: Full time | Permanent (37 hours per week)
Accredited SEQF level 3 qualification - delivered by The Busy Group
28 days annual leave + bank holidays, rising to 33 days with service.
Pension scheme with matching contributions of up to 4%.
Access to discounted shopping opportunities and employee assistance programme.
Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised. We aim to review applications as quickly as possible. However, due to the volume of interest we receive, we may not be able to contact all applicants individually. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful this time.
At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.
Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked. Please note, we will conduct an online search as part of our due diligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media.
Catch22’s Commitment to Ban the Box
Catch22 is proud to have “Banned the Box”. This means that we do not ask for candidates to disclose criminal convictions at the application stage. Instead, we invite disclosures at interview stage, and encourage them at the offer stage. Please see our statement of commitment on hiring people with convictions for more information.
Employment Specialist in Liverpool employer: Catch22
Catch22 is an exceptional employer that prioritises the empowerment of individuals facing employment barriers through innovative training programmes. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, our supportive work culture fosters professional growth and development, complemented by generous benefits such as 28 days of annual leave and pension contributions. Join us in Park Central, where your passion for making a difference can thrive in a collaborative and rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist in Liverpool
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Catch22.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Catch22!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Catch22, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Catch22 or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Catch22:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Catch22! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Catch22
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
