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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in finding and sustaining meaningful employment through tailored guidance.
- Company: Join Groundwork NE & Cumbria, a charity dedicated to creating better communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive work environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while building valuable relationships.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for helping others succeed.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on community impact and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 28383 - 31683 £ per year.
Salary: £28,383 – £31,683 per annum
Hours: Full Time – 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term initially until March 2028
Location(s): Roles across Cumbria, including Barrow in Furness, Copeland, Allerdale & Carlisle
About us
Groundwork NE & Cumbria is a long‑established environmental and community charity with over 30 years of experience creating greener, healthier and more resilient places across the region. Our mission centres on Creating Better Places, Improving People’s Prospects, and Promoting Greener Living, helping communities thrive no matter the challenges they face. We deliver hundreds of locally‑led projects each year, including initiatives that support young people into education, training and employment, helping them overcome barriers, build life skills, and reach their full potential.
About the role
We’re looking for an Employment Specialist to support the delivery of our Connect to Work programme. You’ll use the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model to provide person‑centred IAG support to a caseload of around 25 clients, helping them move into and sustain meaningful employment. You’ll build strong employer relationships to source suitable vacancies and work closely with partners including health providers, mental health services, JCP, and other employment organisations to ensure joined‑up support.
About you
- Passionate in supporting young people to overcome barriers and achieve their potential.
- A strong communicator, confident engaging with clients, employers and partners.
- Equipped with strong analytical and problem‑solving ability, able to assess needs and identify effective employment solutions.
- Person‑centred, empathetic and passionate about helping others succeed.
- Skilled at building positive, trusting relationships.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage a varied caseload and meet deadlines.
- Confident working independently and collaboratively.
Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 24th March 2026. Please note, should we receive a high volume of applications, we may look to close the role early, therefore we recommend an early application.
This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure endorsed by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Make yourself at home: We want you to be yourself at Groundwork and we value everything that makes you unique. We recognise and celebrate your difference and together we make Groundwork a special and great place to work. As a Disability Confident employer we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role.
At Groundwork we ensure that we provide a safe environment for adults, children and young people to take part in any activity or service that we organise. We are committed to creating a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and comprehensive process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all the people we appoint are suitable to work with our children, young people and adults.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
No agencies please.
Employment Specialist – Connect to Work in Whitehaven employer: Groundwork NE & Cumbria
Contact Detail:
Groundwork NE & Cumbria Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist – Connect to Work in Whitehaven
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Groundwork NE & Cumbria and their Connect to Work programme. Understanding their mission and values will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨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 Employment Specialist role. Personal connections can give you an edge!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Prepare a brief introduction about yourself that highlights your passion for supporting young people and your experience in building relationships. This will help you make a strong first impression during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply early through our website! With the closing date approaching, don’t wait until the last minute. Getting your application in early shows enthusiasm and gives you a better chance of standing out in a potentially high volume of applications.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist – Connect to Work in Whitehaven
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for supporting young people shine through in your application. We want to see how you connect with our mission of helping communities thrive and how you can make a difference.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We’re looking for strong communicators and problem-solvers, so give us examples that showcase these abilities.
Be Person-Centred: Emphasise your empathetic approach and ability to build trusting relationships. We value candidates who can demonstrate their commitment to person-centred support, so share any relevant experiences that illustrate this.
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute! We might close the role early if we get a lot of applications, so get your application in as soon as you can. Head over to our website and let’s get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Groundwork NE & Cumbria
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the Connect to Work programme and the IPS model. Familiarise yourself with Groundwork NE & Cumbria's mission and values, as well as their projects. This will help you demonstrate your passion for supporting young people and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a strong communicator, you'll need to engage effectively with clients, employers, and partners. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships in the past. Think about times when your communication skills helped resolve issues or led to successful outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Ability
Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached them. Highlight your analytical skills and how you've assessed needs to identify effective employment solutions. This will show that you can think on your feet and adapt to different situations.
✨Emphasise Your Organisational Skills
With a varied caseload, being organised is key. Share your strategies for managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines. You might want to mention any tools or methods you use to stay on top of your workload, which will reassure them that you can handle the demands of the role.