Location: Thanet, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe
Travel: Regular travel across the service area required
Driving licence & own vehicle: Essential
Make a difference. Lead a team. Change lives through employment.
Are you an experienced Recruitment Consultant, Employment Adviser, Employability Specialist, Supported Employment Practitioner or Team Leader who is passionate about helping people achieve their potential?
Do you enjoy developing people, building relationships with employers and finding creative ways to help individuals overcome barriers and move into meaningful, sustainable employment?
If so, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Employment Specialist / Team Leader to lead and develop a team of IPS Employment Specialists delivering high-quality, person-centred employment support across Thanet, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who combines strong people leadership with excellent recruitment, employer engagement and employment support skills. You’ll be a role model for your team, championing best practice while also maintaining a small caseload of around 10–15 participants when required.
About the Role
As Senior Employment Specialist / Team Leader, you’ll play a key role in ensuring our employment service delivers outstanding outcomes for participants, including people who may be experiencing health conditions, disabilities or other barriers to entering, returning to or sustaining employment.
You’ll lead, supervise, coach and develop a team of Employment Specialists, helping them build their confidence, capability and expertise. You’ll provide regular supervision, reflective practice and practical coaching, supporting your team to deliver personalised employment support and achieve positive job outcomes.
Alongside team leadership, you’ll maintain a small caseload where required, giving you the opportunity to model excellent practice and remain closely connected to the participant journey.
A major part of the role will be developing relationships with employers and partners. You’ll work creatively to identify opportunities within both the open and hidden labour markets, helping participants find roles that genuinely match their strengths, skills, preferences and aspirations.
You’ll also work closely with NHS and health teams, local authorities, Jobcentre Plus, training providers, colleges, community organisations and other partners to create a joined-up approach to employment support.
You’ll be responsible for:
Leading, motivating and developing a team of IPS Employment Specialists.
Providing regular solution-focused supervision, coaching, mentoring and reflective practice.
Supporting your team to achieve strong employment outcomes and deliver consistently high-quality support.
Championing IPS principles, best practice and fidelity standards.
Coaching Employment Specialists in employer engagement, job development and effective employment support.
Building strong relationships with local employers and identifying sustainable job opportunities.
Supporting employers with workplace adjustments, return-to-work plans and retention strategies.
Maintaining a small caseload of approximately 10–15 participants when required.
Supporting participants to build confidence, resilience, motivation and work readiness.
Ensuring personalised Vocational Profile Action Plans are developed, reviewed and progressed.
Identifying training and development needs and supporting a culture of continuous learning.
Working collaboratively with health, clinical, community and employment partners.
Monitoring performance, quality and contractual requirements and contributing to service improvement.
Supporting accurate reporting, KPI achievement and effective operational delivery.
Championing participant voice, feedback and co-production.
Sharing success stories and demonstrating the impact of the service.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
IPS Senior Employment Specialist/Team Leader (North Kent)
Company: Forward Trust Salary: £30,000 to £34,000 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Medway Working pattern: On-site Job type: Permanent Posting date: 16 Oct 2026 Closing date: 3 Nov 2026
About Disability Confident
Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
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Read more in Hythe employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome the challenges of crime and addiction. Located in Hertfordshire, we offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive training and development opportunities. Our commitment to social impact, combined with family-friendly policies and a collaborative environment, makes us an ideal place for passionate professionals looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
