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For Companies 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: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while shaping the employability journey for others.
- Qualifications: Experience in recruitment or health-related fields, with strong coaching and communication skills.
- Other info: Transform lives and grow your career in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 32500 - 45500 £ per year.
Location: Medway
Salary: From £32,500 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 long-term health challenges to find meaningful employment. This is a full-time 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 high-quality support.
- Ensure the service consistently meets IPS fidelity standards and delivers person-centred 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 health-related 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.
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 part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x 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. Job in Strood Education & Training Jobs in Rochester employer: Forward Trust
Contact Detail:
Forward Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employment Specialist Team Leader. Job in Strood Education & Training Jobs in Rochester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and training sector, especially those who might know about opportunities at The Forward Trust. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a job offer before it even hits the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Connect to Work programme. Understand its goals and how you can contribute to making a difference in people's lives. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past roles, highlight specific examples where you led a team or improved processes. This will demonstrate that you're ready to take on the Senior Employment Specialist role with confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining The Forward Trust and making a positive impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employment Specialist Team Leader. Job in Strood Education & Training Jobs in Rochester
Some tips for your application 🫡
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 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 find meaningful work and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team.
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!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and allows you to easily track your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the Connect to Work programme and its goals. Familiarise yourself with IPS fidelity standards and how they apply to supporting individuals with mental health conditions and disabilities. This knowledge will show your passion for the role and your commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Employment Specialist Team Leader, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached or supervised others in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated your team or improved performance, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Build Connections
Since the role involves building partnerships with local employers and community organisations, come prepared with ideas on how to engage these stakeholders. Discuss any previous experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with external partners, as this will highlight your networking skills and ability to drive employer engagement.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions. Inquire about the challenges the team currently faces or how success is measured within the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.