At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with disabilities in finding meaningful employment and engage with employers.
- Company: Join a community-focused team dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting others, excellent communication, and problem-solving skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and impactful work in the Richmond Borough.
The predicted salary is between 31600 - 36450 £ per year.
An opportunity has risen in our Connect to Work team for a part-time Employment Specialist. Employment Specialists will manage a caseload of up to 20-25 participants where you will deliver person-centred support, under the Supported Employment Quality Framework to create and follow an individualised action plan and engage with employers directly to support people into sustainable work. You will also be working with referral partners to promote the benefits of employment and working with health practitioners to provide holistic support for your participants. You will be enthusiastic and passionate about helping people overcome their barriers in finding meaningful employment that betters their health and lives. The people you will be supporting have a learning disability or autism. This is the most under-represented group in the workplace and you will play an important part in changing that. Your work will also include promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace by directly engaging with employers. This is a community-based role where you are required to travel around the Richmond Borough and occasionally Wandsworth Borough.
Connect to Work is a national UK government-funded initiative aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or other complex challenges in finding and maintaining employment. The program offers tailored assistance, including one-to-one coaching, employer engagement and help with tailored job applications. Participants can receive up to 12 months of guidance if they are seeking employment, or up to 4 months if they are currently employed but at risk of losing their job.
About the role
- Caseload management – You will be managing a caseload of up to 20-25 participants and providing holistic and personalised support to each individual.
- Performance and quality – You must be able to follow strict processes of service delivery and be familiar with working towards contractual targets and KPIs.
- Employer Engagement – You will be approaching employers directly to seek vacancies, promote equality and inclusion and discuss adjustments for your caseload of participants.
- Record keeping – This role requires excellent and detailed recording of casenotes, forms, plans and requires extensive use of our CRM and Microsoft apps.
- Referral partners – You will be working with referral partners in promoting our service and identifying individuals suitable for our service.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- Knowledge and experience of supporting others to achieve goals and outcomes.
- Excellent understanding of Supported Employment Quality Framework.
- Outstanding communication skills as you will be engaging with various client groups and businesses at all levels.
- Problem-solving skills, helping participants overcome their barriers.
- Proficiency of IT systems and experience of using Microsoft apps and CRM essential.
If you are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable people, possess the required skills and thrive in a challenging yet highly rewarding environment, we invite you to apply for this opportunity.
Key dates
- Closing Date: 20th February 2026
- Shortlisting Date: 23rd February 2026
- Interview Date: 2nd March 2026
- Test/Presentation: Short Powerpoint presentation.
How to apply
For an informal conversation about this role please contact David Man - Connect to Work - Strategic Lead via david.man@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk. All internal applicants for this secondment must seek permission from their current line manager before applying. Failure to do so may result in the secondment not being authorised. We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Equality, diversity and welfare
Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
Employment Specialist – Connect to Work employer: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist – Connect to Work
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its values before your interview. This way, you can tailor your responses to show how your passion for supporting individuals aligns with their mission. Plus, it’ll help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be engaging with various client groups and businesses, being clear and confident in your speech is key. Try role-playing with a friend or using video calls to simulate the interview experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some examples of how you've helped others overcome barriers in the past. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and your ability to provide person-centred support, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining our team in making a positive impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist – Connect to Work
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for helping people shine through. We want to see how passionate you are about supporting individuals with learning disabilities or autism in finding meaningful employment.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We’re looking for someone who understands the Supported Employment Quality Framework, so don’t forget to mention any related experience!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well. This will help us understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
✨Know Your Participants
Before the interview, take some time to understand the specific needs and challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities or autism. This will help you demonstrate your passion for supporting them and show that you’re ready to create tailored action plans.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be engaging with various client groups and businesses, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles, especially when working with diverse groups.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Framework
Brush up on the Supported Employment Quality Framework. Being able to discuss its principles and how they apply to your work will show that you’re serious about delivering quality support and meeting contractual targets.
✨Prepare for the Presentation
You’ll need to deliver a short PowerPoint presentation during the interview. Make sure it’s engaging and highlights your approach to employer engagement and promoting diversity. Practice beforehand to ensure you’re confident and concise.