At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with health conditions to find and sustain meaningful employment.
- Company: Groundwork NE & Cumbria, a charity focused on community and environmental improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to creating better places and improving lives.
- Why this job: Empower young people to overcome barriers and achieve their potential.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for helping others succeed.
Are you passionate about supporting individuals back into employment?
Salary: £28,951 - £32,316 per annum
Hours: Full Time – 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location(s): Roles across Cumbria, including Barrow in Furness, Workington & 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 are looking for a passionate individual who will support individuals with health conditions to move into and sustain meaningful employment through the 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: Monday, 7th September 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. 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 Workington employer: Groundwork NE & Cumbria
Groundwork North East & Cumbria is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and varied role as a Maintenance Officer where you can truly make a difference in the community. With a supportive team environment, opportunities for skill development across multiple sites, and the autonomy to manage your own workload, you'll find meaningful work that positively impacts local areas. Plus, the roving nature of the role allows for diverse experiences while enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the North East and Cumbria.
Contact Details:
Groundwork NE & Cumbria Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist – Connect to Work in Workington
✨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 Groundwork NE & Cumbria.
✨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 Groundwork NE & Cumbria!
✨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 Groundwork NE & Cumbria, 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 Groundwork NE & Cumbria 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 Employment Specialist – Connect to Work in Workington
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 Groundwork NE & Cumbria:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Groundwork NE & Cumbria! 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 Groundwork NE & Cumbria
✨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.
