At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with health conditions and disabilities to find and maintain competitive employment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to empowering diverse communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, paid volunteering days, and access to training resources.
- Other info: Hybrid role with travel across Leeds; excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Level 4 qualification or substantial experience in employment support or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds - this is a hybrid role with regular travel to sites across the Leeds area. This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week) commencing in March 2026 - Subject to contract win.
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 (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.
The post holder will be expected to work with a caseload of 20 – 25 individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to work defined as wishing to gain competitive (paid) employment. The post will involve working in more than one location, travel will be required, and it is therefore essential that the role holder can travel independently within the contract defined region. It may be necessary on occasion for the post holder to work outside of standard office hours.
Person Specification
Knowledge
- A relevant Level 4 qualification (e.g., in Information, Advice and Guidance; Health and Social Care; Supported Employment) OR equivalent, 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.
- Understanding of Supported Employment, in particular the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
- Degree level qualification in a relevant field.
- Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and responsibilities.
Experience
- 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.
- 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.
A full list of job objectives can be found in the job description.
Deadline for applications: ongoing (Please note, we reserve the right to close our vacancies early if sufficient applications are received).
How to apply: To be considered for this vacancy, applicants are required to complete and submit a fully completed application form through our website. Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Salary & Benefits
£28,925.00 per annum. Benefits include:
- 2 days of paid volunteering per year (pro rota).
- Life Assurance.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Access to training portal to help support your own CPD.
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 do let us know how we can support you.
Employment Specialist in Leeds employer: edt
Education Development Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Careers Advisers in Hounslow. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development alongside competitive benefits such as a pension scheme, life assurance, and discounted gym memberships. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people while enjoying a fulfilling career in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist in Leeds
✨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 edt.
✨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 edt!
✨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 edt, 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 edt 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 Leeds
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 edt:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to edt! 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 edt
✨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.
