At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver tailored employment support and improve wellbeing across Northumberland.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to inclusion and community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them overcome barriers to work.
- Qualifications: Experience in employability services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about inclusion and helping people overcome barriers to work? We’re seeking a Lead Employment Support Specialist to oversee delivery of the WorkWell programme across Northumberland, leading a team to provide high‑quality, person‑centred employment and skills support.
Funded by the Government as part of the Health and Growth Accelerator pilot, WorkWell supports working‑age individuals whose health may put their employment at risk. Working closely with GPs, the programme helps identify patients struggling in work and provides tailored support, including access to health, employment, and financial advice to help them stay in work.
About the Role
This is a pivotal and agile leadership role operating across Northumberland. You will lead the delivery of the WorkWell programme, working closely with GP surgeries, health settings, and community partners to ensure residents can access tailored support that improves wellbeing and helps them progress towards employment, skills, and sustainable outcomes.
You will manage a team of Triage Employment Advisors, overseeing referrals from healthcare professionals, community services, partners, and self‑referrals. In addition, you will provide leadership and oversight to Housing Employment Specialists and Refugee Employment Specialist provision, ensuring services are aligned, high‑performing, and responsive to resident needs.
Working collaboratively across the local employability landscape, you will build strong partnerships, drive service improvement, and identify opportunities to integrate support across programmes. As a hands‑on leader, you will also provide direct support to residents where required, ensuring high‑quality service delivery and positive outcomes. This role is full time and fixed term for 1 year.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate, and develop a team of Employment Advisors delivering employment support services.
- Oversee the WorkWell programme across Northumberland, ensuring quality, consistency and impact.
- Build and maintain strong relationships internally and externally with employment teams delivering Connect to Work, Economic Inactivity Trailblazer programmes, VCS employment providers, DWP programmes including RESTA, Housing and Refugee employment programmes, Health and Wellbeing support.
- Drive performance, ensuring delivery against targets and outcomes for WorkWell and other employment programmes where necessary.
- Oversee additional smaller employment programmes, ensuring effective delivery and compliance.
- Ensure robust quality assurance processes, data accuracy and contract compliance across all programmes.
- Model best practice through a small caseload where required.
- Ensure high standards of safeguarding, health & safety and risk management, with clear reporting processes in place.
- Promote a culture of inclusion, empowerment and continuous improvement.
About You
We are looking for a confident and experienced leader who:
- Has a strong background in employability, supported employment or related services.
- Can quickly understand and manage multiple systems and programmes with excellent attention to detail.
- Demonstrates strong leadership, coaching and team development skills.
- Is highly organised, resilient and able to manage competing priorities in an agile environment.
- Has experience of working in partnership with health services and external stakeholders.
- Is committed to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Champions a values‑based approach focused on dignity, choice and person‑centred support.
Additional Information
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential. Travel across Northumberland will be required. Occasional out‑of‑hours working may be necessary.
For more information about this role, please contact Vanessa Laing, Senior Manager on Vanessa.Laing@northumberland.gov.uk
Benefits
- 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro‑rata for part‑time employees)
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro‑rata for part‑time employees)
Equality and Diversity
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below.
British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930
This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.
Skills and Employability Specialist (Lead Employment Support) in Blyth employer: Northumberland Fire Group
As a Lead Employment Support Specialist with us, you will be part of a dynamic and inclusive team dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of individuals across Northumberland. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, professional development, and collaboration with local health services and community partners. With generous benefits including 26 days of annual leave, a Local Government Pension Scheme, and opportunities for flexible working, we are committed to fostering an environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Skills and Employability Specialist (Lead Employment Support) in Blyth
✨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 Northumberland Fire Group.
✨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 Northumberland Fire Group!
✨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 Northumberland Fire Group, 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 Northumberland Fire Group 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 Skills and Employability Specialist (Lead Employment Support) in Blyth
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 Northumberland Fire Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Northumberland Fire Group! 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 Northumberland Fire Group
✨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.
