Employment Specialist - Expression of Interest in Leeds

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Desirable:

• 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

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.

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.

About Disability Confidence

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.

Role Terms

This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week) commencing in March 2026 - Subject to contract win, £28,925.00 per annum, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata), 2 days of paid volunteering per year (pro rata).

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.

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.