At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead initiatives to create meaningful employment for individuals with learning disabilities and autism.
- Company: Join MacIntyre, a national charity dedicated to inclusion and opportunity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6 weeks annual leave, health support, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across services and excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by promoting inclusive employment.
- Qualifications: Experience in supported employment and strong communication skills required.
Location: National (Requires travel across MacIntyre services)
Contract: 2-Year Fixed-Term | Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £36,750 per annum + £2,000 car allowance
Help Create Employment Opportunities That Change Lives
At MacIntyre, we believe everyone deserves the chance to live a "gloriously ordinary life." For many people, that includes meaningful paid work, learning new skills, earning their own money, and being valued as an equal part of their community. We are looking for an experienced, values-driven Employment Engagement Officer to support a 2-year project to strengthen and expand our supported employment pathways and supported internships across MacIntyre. This is a senior, high-impact position designed for a professional with a proven track record who is looking for a genuine step up into national strategic delivery.
Why This Role Matters
The opportunity in front of us is huge, and official figures tell a stark story:
- 6% of Adults with Learning disabilities are in paid employment, compared to 76% of the general population
- 4 out of 5 people with a Learning Disability want to work
Most people with a learning disability and many autistic people want to work. With the right support and the right employers, they thrive. Closing this gap is exactly what this role exists to do.
About the Role
This is not a traditional employment support role. You will lead the implementation of MacIntyre’s agreed Employment Strategy on a national scale, helping to build the tools, partnerships and local confidence needed to make this work sustainable. Operating with a person-centred, strengths-based approach, you will work with internal operational teams, Job Coaches, external employers and partner agencies to help remove barriers to work and support sustainable, long-term employment opportunities.
Core Focus Areas:
- Employer Engagement: Source, build, and maintain trusted relationships with local and national businesses that share our values. Advocate for inclusive recruitment, promote Disability Confident practices, and negotiate reasonable adjustments to secure job retention.
- Benefits Advisory & Guidance: Act as our internal expert on the work‑related welfare benefits system. You will carry out basic benefits calculations and "better-off-in-work" assessments (covering Universal Credit, PIP, ESA, and Access to Work) to ensure the people who draw on our support can make informed financial decisions.
- Practice Leadership: Act as a role model upholding MacIntyre’s Leadership DNA. You will coach, inspire, and quality‑check local staff teams and Job Coaches on delivering tailored employment action plans (CV writing, interviews, in‑work support) and maintaining meticulous records.
- Compliance & Partnership: Ensure all activity aligns with regulatory standards, data protection, and safeguarding policies. You will track service performance against key KPIs and professionally represent MacIntyre at multi‑agency meetings, panels, and forums.
About You
This role requires a professional who has past experience in a similar role within supported employment, employability, social care, or SEN careers guidance.
Essential Criteria:
- Experience: Significant, demonstrable experience supporting people with SEND, autism, or complex barriers into paid employment, alongside a proven track record in business outreach and multi‑agency partnership work.
- Sector & System Knowledge: A solid practical understanding of the SEND sector (including EHCPs and the SEND Code of Practice), supported internship models, and the benefits system.
- Qualifications & Skills: Educated to a Level 5 qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g., Social Care, SEN, and Management) or possess equivalent senior‑level experience. Excellent communication, advocacy, and IT/social media skills are required.
- Mobility: A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle with business insurance are essential. This role involves regular travel to various MacIntyre services, some of which are not accessible via public transport.
- Personal Attributes: Resilient, patient, and solution‑focused with a passionate commitment to disability inclusion and employment equality.
Desirable Criteria:
- Formal training in welfare benefits advice.
- Project management experience or qualifications.
About us
MacIntyre is a national charity supporting more than 1,400 children, young people and adults who have a learning disability or are autistic. For 60 years, we've worked alongside people to build lives filled with opportunity, connection and belonging. Whatever your role, you'll help make that possible.
Training, Development, and Career Progression
At MacIntyre, we are deeply committed to helping our colleagues grow. We know it can be daunting to start a new job, and because everyone learns differently, we provide a tailored mix of eLearning, face‑to‑face training, and on‑the‑job mentoring support throughout your probation. But it doesn't stop there. Throughout your career with us, you will have structured access to our dedicated in‑house Learning and Development team, Quality Specialists, and HR teams to keep your sector knowledge sharp.
Pay and benefits
Alongside your salary, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including:
- 6 weeks' annual leave per year including public holidays
- Pension scheme
- Paid DBS check
- Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme
- Shopping discounts through Blue Light Card and our staff discounts scheme
- Ongoing training and career development
Please note: we do not offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. You must already have the right to work in the UK.
Safer recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding the children, young people and adults we support. If we offer you a job, we’ll work with you to complete the appropriate pre‑employment checks.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we work in. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we're happy to help, call us on 01908 357016. Our recruitment website also includes accessibility tools such as translation, OpenDyslexic font and display options.
Employment Engagement Officer- Learning Disability and Autism employer: MacIntyre
At MacIntyre, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people with learning disabilities and autism. Our St Albans children's home fosters a warm and supportive work culture where kindness, respect, and teamwork are paramount, offering extensive training and career development opportunities to help you grow as a leader. With generous benefits including six weeks of annual leave, a workplace pension scheme, and access to employee discounts, joining our team means becoming part of a compassionate community committed to empowering both staff and the children we support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Engagement Officer- Learning Disability and Autism
✨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 MacIntyre.
✨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 MacIntyre!
✨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 MacIntyre, 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 MacIntyre 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 Engagement Officer- Learning Disability and Autism
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 MacIntyre:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to MacIntyre! 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 MacIntyre
✨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.
