Employment Support Officer in Kent

Location: Hybrid/Aylesford, Kent

Salary/package: £27,642 per annum

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full-Time, 37 hours per week

Join The Education People (TEP) as an Employment Support Officer and make a real difference by supporting individuals who face barriers to employment. This is a rewarding opportunity to combine people-focused support with strong partnerships that help change lives for the better.

Who we are

The Education People (TEP), part of Commercial Services Group (CSG), excels in delivering essential services that significantly impact the lives of children. With a team of specialists in various educational fields, they take pride in offering expert-driven services including early years and childcare, equality and inclusion, school improvement and professional development, ensuring comprehensive support for educational institutions.

Why this role matters

The Employment Support Officer plays a vital role in helping disadvantaged individuals overcome barriers to work by providing tailored advice, training, and in-work support. The role is key in building strong relationships with employers and partners to create meaningful opportunities, while ensuring each person receives person-centred guidance. It is important as it directly improves people’s employment prospects, independence, and life chances.

What you’ll be doing

• Provide one-to-one advice and support to individuals who are seeking employment and/or other opportunities and signpost them to other services where appropriate.
• Effectively assess individual needs, goals and milestones to ensure everyone accessing the service receives person-centred provision and develop action plans, monitoring individuals progress against those plans.
• Manage a significant caseload, understanding the skills, abilities, needs and vocational aspirations through use of a Vocational Profile and use this information to identify a good job match by assessing the skills required.
• Engage with prospective employers who will offer employment and other opportunities which match the skills, aspirations and needs of those using the service.
• Ensure jobs are evaluated and risk assessed, keeping up to date with safeguarding practices and procedures.
• Provide job coaching to assist individuals to perform their work responsibilities in such a way that fosters independence.

What we’re looking for

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Proficient IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office packages.
• Ideally some experience delivering support via the SEQF or IPS model.
• Experience of working with individuals disadvantaged in the labour market in an enabling role is desirable but not essential.
• An understanding of the barriers individuals with a disability or disadvantage face in trying to access employment and the impact of social exclusion.
• Proven experience of managing a significant caseload whilst maintaining customer service standards.

What you’ll get in return

• Salary of £27,642 per annum.
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 after four years.
• Birthday Day Off.
• One concessionary day during the Christmas period.
• Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution.
• Life assurance cover.

Why CSG?

CSG is the UK’s largest local authority‑owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £800 million in revenue per annum and supporting more than 16,000 education and public sector customers globally. We are growing through a combination of organic development, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Our businesses deliver services across education, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and more, all focused on delivering meaningful impact. As a locally owned organisation, we take pride in reinvesting a significant proportion of our profits into frontline services, helping strengthen the communities we serve.

Inclusion