At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with barriers to employment through a structured 5-stage process.
- Company: Join Maximus, a global leader in health and employment services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time role, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic community-based role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Empower vulnerable adults and transform lives through meaningful employment support.
- Qualifications: Passion for supporting individuals, strong communication skills, and experience in employability.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 32000 £ per year.
General Information
- City: Preston
- Country: United Kingdom
- Working time: Full-time
- Salary: £29,000 - £32,000
- Closing date: 06-Jul-2026
Description & Requirements
Be part of something great! Maximus is a global organisation that specialises in providing health and employment services to millions of people every year. Here in the UK we employ around 5,000 people across the country to deliver services that have a profound impact on people’s lives. From assessments and health services to employability programmes and specialist support, we do work that matters with people who care.
The Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) Employment Specialist will demonstrate the core values of Supported Employment, empowering participants to gain employment while delivering the 5 stages of Supported Employment: Customer Engagement; Vocational Profiling; Employer Engagement; Job Matching; and providing In-Work Support/Career Development. This role is community based, covering the north of Lancashire, ideally based in the Lancaster/Morcambe area. Supporting vulnerable adults with a variety of health conditions, disabilities and other barriers to meaningful employment, you will engage with a variety of stakeholders and advocate on behalf of your caseload to promote equality and gain employment opportunities.
We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual who is deeply passionate about supported employment and truly believes in its power to transform lives.
Responsibilities
- Support a caseload through the 5 stages of Supported Employment, building rapport and trust, ensuring choice and control, and advocating on behalf of participants.
- Adhere to the SEQF quality framework.
- Develop a comprehensive vocational profile and conduct detailed job analysis to identify support needs and tailor interventions.
- Provide job‑matching services, identifying suitable employment opportunities aligned with client skills and preferences.
- Deliver one‑to‑one pre‑employment support, offer on‑the‑job support including coaching, workplace adjustments, and mentoring to ensure a smooth transition and long‑term retention.
- Provide benefits calculations and disclosure support.
- Meet and exceed KPI targets.
- Ensure compliance by accurate data entry, completion of contractual and internal documentation, and provider guidance.
- Engage with a variety of stakeholders (partners & employers) to advocate on behalf of the caseload.
- Facilitate integration with local communities and partners, ensuring employment support is woven into the broader local services network.
- Engage with community organisations to promote the program and generate referrals.
- Use a range of recruitment activities to match and market participants to relevant vacancies or potential employers.
- Work with employers to job‑carve positions, negotiate work trials, and provide support such as training and natural support development.
- Signpost participants to partner services to remove barriers and develop support networks.
- Provide mentoring support, advice, and guidance to participants and employers to ensure sustained employment.
- Develop circles of support for participants to support their aspirations.
- Promote a zero‑rejection philosophy of Supported Employment to stakeholders.
Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Strive for the best quality standard by accurate record keeping and following SEQF guidelines.
- Gather feedback from stakeholders, participants, and employers to inform continuous improvement efforts.
- Implement innovative approaches to improve service delivery and participant outcomes.
- Reflect on personal performance and engage in professional development activities.
- Collect and analyse data to monitor program effectiveness and identify improvement areas.
Qualifications
- Familiarity with systems including MS Outlook, Teams and OneDrive.
- Numeracy and literacy skills.
- Experience working to quality standards and associated KPI’s.
- Creative problem‑solving skills.
- Experience of organising workload and managing priorities.
- Experience of people development in individual or group settings.
- Ability to work independently and demonstrate self‑management.
- Experience of working as part of a team.
- A genuine passion for empowering individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment.
- A strong commitment to delivering person‑centred support and achieving positive, life‑changing outcomes.
- Ability to inspire confidence, self‑belief, and motivation in individuals.
- Deep sense of purpose and motivation to make a difference.
- Committed to transforming lives through compassionate support.
- Experience of supporting participants through Supported Employment contracts and/or employability related work.
- Ability to coach individuals to develop healthy work behaviours and career development.
- Welfare to Work sector‑specific qualification (e.g. Supported Employment Techniques, Level 3 Certificate for Supported Employment Practitioners, NVQ L3 in Employment related services) or willingness to develop/training.
- Motivated and adaptable nature.
- Sales, promotional or influencing skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills (active listening, questioning, building relationships).
- Participant focused with realistic goal setting.
- Stakeholder and communication skills (relationship building, negotiation, persuasiveness).
- Quality focus with creative innovation input.
- Integrity, willingness to learn, teamwork, empathy, conflict management, resilience and time management.
Key Contacts & Relationships
- Internal: Line Manager, Central Teams, Labour Market Analyst, Borough Integration Managers, Employer Engagement Specialist, Fidelity Officer.
- External: Partners (e.g. referral sources), Employers, Circles of Support.
EEO Statement
MAXIMUS is committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process. We ensure no applicant receives less favourable treatment due to any personal characteristic. We are a Disability Confident Leader; our scheme offers a guaranteed interview for eligible applicants with a disability. Where reasonable, MAXIMUS will review and consider adjustments for applicants who express a requirement for them during recruitment.
Employment Specialist - Lancashire - North employer: Maximus
Maximus is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals through its health and employment services. With a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that fosters professional growth and development. Located in the vibrant community of Lancashire, the role of Employment Specialist offers unique opportunities to engage with local stakeholders and advocate for vulnerable adults, ensuring a rewarding career path in a compassionate environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist - Lancashire - North
✨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 Maximus.
✨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 Maximus!
✨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 Maximus, 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 Maximus 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 Specialist - Lancashire - North
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 Maximus:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Maximus! 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 Maximus
✨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.
