At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Leicestershire residents in finding and maintaining employment through person-centred action plans.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to inclusive and accessible employment programmes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration across various agencies.
- Why this job: Join an exciting project that empowers individuals facing barriers to employment.
- Qualifications: Experience in delivering employment programmes and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33129 - 35493 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield Leicester LE3 8RL
Salary: £33,129 - £35,493 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Working Hours: Full time (37 hours per week)
Contract Type: Fixed term until 31st December 2029
Closing Date: 22nd November 2026
Interview Date(s): Wednesday 2nd, Friday 11th or Monday 14th December
Are you passionate about improving the lives of Leicestershire County residents? Do you want to work on an exciting new project – Connect to Work, which aims to support Leicestershire residents into employment? At the Leicestershire County Council Adult Learning Service, we’re passionate about creating inclusive and accessible programmes which ensure all Leicestershire residents are supported to reach their full potential.
Your role will be to deliver front-line, person-centred support through Connect to Work and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), working directly with adults across Leicestershire to help them move into and thrive in employment.
About the Role
Connect to Work aims to support disabled people, people with health conditions and individuals facing other barriers to move into and maintain employment. We’re looking for experienced professionals who can build trusted relationships with participants, understand their individual strengths and challenges, and help them develop person-centred action plans that lead to sustainable employment. You’ll be engaging directly with adults facing complex barriers – such as learning disabilities, neurodiversity or being care experienced – and working closely with employers to match people to suitable roles using the ‘place, train and maintain’ model. You’ll also be supporting participants in the workplace, helping them settle in, build confidence and thrive.
We are recruiting for multiple people at this time and we’re particularly keen to hear from people who have local experience of delivering high-quality employment programmes and working in partnership with agencies across social care, health and employment. You’ll need excellent communication skills, a creative and problem-solving mindset, and the ability to coach and motivate others. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same – from developing local delivery plans and liaising with employers, to supporting participants with vocational profiling and training.
If you’re passionate about inclusive employment and want to make a real difference in Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. This is a full-time role. There is some flexibility in how you work your hours (to be discussed at interview stage). Your base will be County Hall, with the option of our other centres. There may be the occasional requirement to travel across the county for meetings/events.
Typical Responsibilities
- Building trusted relationships with participants and supporting them to engage in structured plans to find and sustain employment.
- Completing and updating vocational profiles, identifying individuals’ skills, experiences, needs and employment preferences.
- Developing person-centred action plans that lead to sustainable employment, following the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
- Engaging with local employers to find paid employment opportunities and match participants to suitable roles.
- Supporting employers to adopt inclusive recruitment practices.
- Providing in-work support to participants, helping them settle into roles, build confidence and integrate into the workplace.
- Working in partnership with agencies across social care, health and employment to design effective referral and progression pathways.
- Maintaining accurate records for audit and performance monitoring, including eligibility checks and employment outcomes.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post. For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.
About You
A minimum Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject (or able to demonstrate equivalent experience), plus L2 Eng and maths (or equivalent experience, demonstrated through application process).
Recent experience of successfully delivering high-quality employment programmes.
Experience of working with adults facing complex and multiple barriers to employment (e.g., learning disabilities, neurodiversity, care leavers).
Strong understanding of Supported Employment and the challenges faced by target groups in accessing and sustaining work.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to coach, mentor and motivate others.
Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to develop person-centred action plans based on vocational assessments.
Plus, the ability to keep accurate records to contribute towards service assessment.
Experience of engaging with local employers to create inclusive job opportunities for people facing barriers to employment.
Plus, the ability to work in partnership with a range of agencies and tailor communication to different audiences.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Claire Smith, Connect to Work Project Manager Telephone: 07710 202109 or 0116 305 3620 Email: claire.e.smith@leics.gov.uk
Connect to Work Employment Support Officer employer: ESPO Trading Limited
Leicestershire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment where your organisational and people skills can truly make a difference. With a commitment to employee growth and flexible working options, you will find opportunities to develop your career while contributing to vital services that enhance the community's resilience. Located in the heart of Glenfield, Leicester, the council fosters a culture of inclusivity and teamwork, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Connect to Work Employment Support Officer
✨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 ESPO Trading Limited.
✨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 ESPO Trading Limited!
✨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 ESPO Trading Limited, 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 ESPO Trading Limited 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 Connect to Work Employment Support Officer
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 ESPO Trading Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to ESPO Trading Limited! 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 ESPO Trading Limited
✨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.
