At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to support individuals with mental health challenges in finding meaningful employment.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering lives.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in recruitment or health-related fields, with strong coaching and communication skills.
- Other info: Transform lives and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 32500 - 32500 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Medway
Salary: From ÂŁ32,500 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent
About The Role
Are you ready to lead a passionate team and make a real difference in people's lives? We're seeking a Senior Employment Specialist (Team Leader) to join our Connect to Work programme, supporting people with mental health conditions, disabilities, and longâterm health challenges to find meaningful employment. This is a fullâtime role (35 hours per week), based in Medway and Gravesham. Due to the nature of the role, all applicants must hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
In this pivotal role, you'll:
- Lead, coach, and supervise a team of IPS Employment Specialists, shaping best practice and driving performance.
- Oversee a small caseload (clients) yourself, modelling highâquality support.
- Ensure the service consistently meets IPS fidelity standards and delivers personâcentred outcomes.
- Build strong partnerships with local employers, NHS teams, colleges, and community organisations.
- Coordinate employer engagement, uncovering open and hidden job markets.
- Manage budgets, performance reporting, and compliance with organisational and contractual standards.
- Facilitate training, peer learning, and professional development for your team.
Qualifications
- Recruitment, employability, or healthârelated experience, ideally with line management or supervisory responsibility.
- Knowledge of IPS or supported employment services (training provided if needed).
- Excellent coaching, communication, and organisational skills.
- The ability to work collaboratively with clinical teams, employers, and community partners.
- Lead a motivated team, shape service delivery, and transform the employability journey for people in your community.
With opportunities for professional growth and real impact, this role is perfect for someone driven to make a difference. Apply now and help people achieve meaningful work and independence!
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for partâtime employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme â Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years of service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2Ă annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click "apply" to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
Senior Employment Specialist Team Leader in Rochester employer: Forward Trust
Contact Detail:
Forward Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Senior Employment Specialist Team Leader in Rochester
â¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research The Forward Trust, their mission, and the Connect to Work programme. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and passion for helping people find meaningful work.
â¨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Senior Employment Specialist role. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested!
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to team leadership and employment support. Think about how you would handle specific scenarios, especially those involving coaching and collaboration with clinical teams.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows youâre serious about joining The Forward Trust and making a difference in people's lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employment Specialist Team Leader in Rochester
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Employment Specialist role. Highlight any relevant leadership or coaching experience, as well as your understanding of IPS or supported employment services.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about helping people with mental health conditions and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully managed or coached others in the past. We want to see your ability to inspire and drive performance in a supportive way.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youâre considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our mission and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Trust
â¨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the Connect to Work programme and the role of a Senior Employment Specialist. Familiarise yourself with IPS fidelity standards and how they apply to supporting clients with mental health conditions and disabilities. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and passion for the role.
â¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Team Leader, you'll need to lead and motivate your team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached or supervised others in the past. Think about specific situations where youâve driven performance or shaped best practices, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.
â¨Build Connections
Since the role involves building partnerships with local employers and community organisations, be ready to discuss your experience in networking and collaboration. Share any successful partnerships you've developed in previous roles and how they benefited your team or clients.
â¨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare some insightful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about the team's current challenges, the organisation's goals, or how they measure success in the Connect to Work programme. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.