At a Glance
- Tasks: Support neurodiverse individuals in building skills and finding meaningful employment.
- Company: NOW Group, an award-winning social enterprise making a real impact.
- Benefits: Generous leave, health cash plan, flexible work options, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on compassion and teamwork.
- Why this job: Join us to empower others and create lasting change in the community.
- Qualifications: Experience with learning disabilities and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
About NOW Group
NOW Group is an award-winning social enterprise operating across Belfast and Dublin. We are committed to working with individuals and businesses to unlock potential and create meaningful, lasting change across the island of Ireland. Our work focuses on supporting people who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have a learning disability, helping them to build skills and progress into sustainable, future-focused employment. Through tailored training programmes, inclusive job opportunities, and community-based support, we empower individuals to achieve their goals and thrive in the workplace.
The Role
As a Skills Support Officer within the Skills for Life and Work team, you will provide tailored classroom-based support to participants with additional needs, ensuring full engagement in learning and personal development. Your responsibilities include implementing required adjustments, delivering practical and pastoral support, and monitoring progress through accurate record-keeping. Working collaboratively with internal teams, you will ensure all support requirements are met and that barriers to learning are identified and addressed through a robust, individualised Personal Training Plan. You will also coordinate suitable work placements, liaise with employers to resolve issues, and provide job coaching or additional support to maximise participants' learning and development during work-related activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide person-centered support to participants on the Skills for Life and Work programme.
- Support participants within classroom and external venues including work placements.
- Encourage individuals to engage in opportunities and build independence skills.
- Promote Volunteer opportunities for group members.
- Build on existing external networks/relations and develop new ones to increase placement opportunities for our participants.
- Route train participants to increase independence skills.
- Work effectively with NOW Group Services to provide a full range of support, optimising positive progression for participants.
- Ensure organisational, team and individual annual KPIs are met.
- Ensure accurate record keeping of participant attendance, retention and progression in compliance with organisational data protection and confidentiality policy.
- Comply fully with NOW Group's 'Organisational Approach to Safeguarding.
This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine.
What We Offer
At NOW Group, we value and invest in our team. As part of our organisation, you'll benefit from:
- Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata).
- Health Cash Plan: Available after successful probation.
- Wellbeing Support: Confidential staff counselling and financial advisory services.
- Pension Scheme: 5% employer contribution.
- Flexible Work Initiatives: Including the Bike-to-Work scheme, holiday purchase options, and more.
About The Role Additional Information
Employment is subject to an Access NI Disclosure check. NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. A copy of our safeguarding and recruitment policies is available upon request. Join us at NOW Group and make a real difference in the lives of individuals with learning difficulties and autism. Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future.
Required Criteria
- A full current driving licence and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling proposals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a licence.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable - hours are flexible and may involve evening and weekend work as required.
- Minimum level 2 qualification in English and Maths.
- Minimum of one years paid experience of working with either: Participants with learning disabilities/difficulties, Experience assisting young people in training, Experience of liaising with employers.
- Minimum of one years paid experience in building local networks and seeking placements.
- Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite.
- Excellent communication skills and public speaking/presentation skills.
Desired Criteria
- Previous experience of working on Skills for Life and Work Programme or similar government contracts.
- Proven track record of securing employment or work placements for people with barriers to learning.
Skills Needed
About The Company
At the heart of the NOW Group's mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery. One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (Just A Minute) Card - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It's a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3,000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly. The NOW Group's impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.
Company Culture
At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It's built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment. We don't just work side by side we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it's our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact. In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren't just statistics each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted. What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don't see targets they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.
Company Benefits
Benefits at NOW Group
NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation. We prioritise health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counselling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health. To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience. Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.
Salary £28,250.00 per year
Benefits: Vacation, Paid time off, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Long service recognition, Hybrid Working, On the job learning, Progression opportunities.
Skills Support Officer TLNT1_NI in Enniskillen employer: IrishJobs
NOW Group is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals with learning disabilities and neurodiverse conditions, fostering a collaborative and compassionate work culture. With generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave, a Health Cash Plan, and flexible working initiatives, employees are supported in both their personal and professional growth. Join us in making a meaningful impact across Belfast and Dublin, where your contributions will transform lives and create lasting change in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Skills Support Officer TLNT1_NI in Enniskillen
✨Get Involved Locally
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Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like IrishJobs.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at IrishJobs.
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We think you need these skills to ace Skills Support Officer TLNT1_NI in Enniskillen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of IrishJobs. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
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Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Skills Support Officer TLNT1_NI, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at IrishJobs
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of IrishJobs. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
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