At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities to find meaningful employment and build confidence.
- Company: Join Mencap, a leading charity dedicated to creating inclusive communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days of paid holiday, discounts, health plans, and more perks.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help them achieve independence.
- Qualifications: Experience in supported employment and strong communication skills are essential.
At Mencap, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to work, grow and thrive. Our Employ Me team helps people with a learning disability, learning difficulty and autism build the confidence, skills and real work experience they need to move into meaningful, sustained employment. Every day, our teams see the life-changing impact that good employment support can have—stories celebrated across our Good News blog. From individuals gaining their very first job to people discovering passions they never knew they had, our employment programmes open doors, shift expectations and help people achieve independence and pride.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Employment Specialist to deliver Mencap’s Connect to Work programme across Newcastle-under-Lyme. This is a full time (37.5 hours per week), fixed term position for 2 years. Connect to Work is part of the Government’s Get Britain Working strategy. It aims to:
- Reduce economic inactivity for people facing complex barriers
- Increase workforce participation
- Support better workforce retention through structured in-work support
- Strengthen the connection between employment, health and social care
- Deliver measurable outcomes including job starts, sustained employment and employer engagement
You’ll provide personalised, intensive employment support for up to 12 months for participants who are out of work, and up to 4 months for those in work but at risk of leaving their job. You’ll deliver the five stages of the Supported Employment model, following the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF):
- Engagement
- Vocational Profiling
- Employer Engagement
- Job Matching
- On and Off-the-Job Support
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Motivated and able to work independently
- A great communicator, able to build trust with participants and employers
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Comfortable supporting a caseload of up to 20 individuals
- Passionate about inclusion, employment rights and supporting people to achieve their goals
You’ll need previous experience delivering supported employment programmes, alongside robust skills in recording progress and evidencing achievement. If you’d like to be part of a team creating real opportunities—and real change—we’d love to hear from you.
Please apply with a full and up to date application. Mencap operates a blind recruitment process; CVs will not be seen until first stage interviews. This vacancy closes Tuesday 29th August.
Benefits: Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated. Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.
About Mencap: Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full. We campaign for a fairer society. We work with families and partners to build inclusive communities. And we deliver the services people need to live their lives. Everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes. Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves. We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long-term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.
Employment Specialist in Newcastle under Lyme employer: Mencap
Mencap is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity and employee well-being, making it a fantastic place to work as a Store Manager in Worksop. With a strong commitment to personal and professional growth, employees benefit from extensive training opportunities, a generous holiday package, and various perks that enhance work-life balance. The supportive work culture fosters collaboration and respect, ensuring that every team member feels valued while contributing to a meaningful mission of improving the lives of individuals with learning disabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist in Newcastle under Lyme
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Mencap.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
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 Mencap.
✨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 Mencap.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Mencap. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist in Newcastle under Lyme
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 Mencap. 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.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Employment Specialist, 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 Mencap
✨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 Mencap. 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.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
