Employment Specialist

Contract type: Part‑time, fixed Term contract until 31st March 2027 (Potential for extension)

Hours: 22.5 hours per week. Open to discussing work schedule, although will need to be within service hours (Mon‑Fri 9.00-17.00). Flexibility to occasionally work until 6pm on Tuesdays/Thursdays required.

Salary: £25,877.80 – £34,240.03 FTE

Location: Hybrid (1 day per week in office- Bedfordshire and St Neots), 2 days per week working from home. This role requires working in local job centres and community‑based venues in Bedfordshire to see clients.

Base offices: Yew Tree House, St. Neots Union Street Clinic, Bedford

You must hold a full UK Driving Licence and have access to your own vehicle.

About Waythrough: Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services.

Make a real difference in your community: Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse.

About the service: Bedfordshire Employment Service has been set up to provide support for people experiencing anxiety, depression, or other common mental health issues and who need support related to their employment. Our employment specialists support people to help them find their new job, return to work after having time off, or address workplace issues to help them improve their employment situation and retain their jobs.

About you: While a background in the employment sector is not essential, experience working with people, particularly in areas such as recruitment, education, human resources, support services, or social work, would be an advantage. Your self‑motivation, understanding of mental health issues, excellent listening skills, a high level of computer literacy, and solution‑focused approach would be key. The role requires high efficiency in time‑management; and ability to effectively manage your diary and workload is essential.

About the role: As an Employment Specialist you will be responsible for a caseload of approximately 30 people (with at least 10 new clients commencing employment support with you each month). You will work with people to understand their preferences, values, experiences and skills to identify their employment goals and develop SMART action plans. You will provide support with job search, CV writing, job applications, and interview preparation. You will help people identify any adjustments they may require, including disclosing health conditions at work. You will help people navigate difficult workplace situations (discrimination, bullying, harassment, capability conversations, grievance and disciplinary process). You work with people to help them create sustainable return to work plans. You will share resources, and signpost to other organisations as and when appropriate.

You must also be able to:

• Effectively manage a caseload, provide person‑centred support to individuals to help them find and sustain appropriate employment;
• Be assertive and adaptable, with a positive attitude about employment for all and excellent networking and interpersonal skills;
• Communicate clearly and appropriately, in writing, face to face or on the telephone, with people from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds;
• Quickly establish effective working relationships at all levels, both internally and externally;
• Co‑ordinate and prioritise your workload;
• Work effectively unsupervised and as part of a team;
• Produce accurate work at a pace with attention to detail, using electronic database and Microsoft Office programmes to support caseload management and accurate and timely record keeping.

If you are personable, proactive, highly motivated and would like to help people who have, or are recovering from, mental ill health to find, return to or remain in work; and if you would also like to be part of an organisation that takes pride in the professionalism, insight, expertise and passion of its staff to inspire individual recovery for the people they work with, then a role of Employment Advisor at Waythrough Bedfordshire Employment Service may be just the role you’ve been looking for!

What We Offer: We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family‑friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will‑writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility: Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme – all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team.

Closing Date: 2026-08-07