At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Leicestershire residents in finding and maintaining employment through tailored action plans.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to inclusive and accessible employment support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and empower individuals facing barriers to achieve their career goals.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience, with a background in employment support.
The predicted salary is between 32070 - 34359 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield Leicester LE3 8RL (plus travel across the county as required).
Salary: £32,070 - £34,359 per annum (Pro rata for part time) pay award pending
Working Hours: Full time (37 hours per week)
Contract Type: Fixed term until 30th June 2029
Closing Date: 28th June 2026
Interview Date(s): Tuesday 7th, Thursday 9th or Friday 10th July
Are you passionate about improving the lives of Leicestershire County residents? Do you want to work on an exciting new project – Connect to Work, which aims to support Leicestershire residents into employment? At the Leicestershire County Council Adult Learning Service, we’re passionate about creating inclusive and accessible programmes which ensure all Leicestershire residents are supported to reach their full potential.
Your role will be to deliver front-line, person-centred support through Connect to Work and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), working directly with adults across Leicestershire to help them move into and thrive in employment.
About the Role
Connect to Work aims to support disabled people, people with health conditions and individuals facing other barriers to move into and maintain employment. We’re looking for experienced professionals who can build trusted relationships with participants, understand their individual strengths and challenges, and help them develop person-centred action plans that lead to sustainable employment. You’ll be engaging directly with adults facing complex barriers – such as learning disabilities, neurodiversity or being care experienced – and working closely with employers to match people to suitable roles using the ‘place, train and maintain’ model. You’ll also be supporting participants in the workplace, helping them settle in, build confidence and thrive.
We are recruiting for up to four people at this time and we’re particularly keen to hear from people who have local experience of delivering high-quality employment programmes and working in partnership with agencies across social care, health and employment. You’ll need excellent communication skills, a creative and problem-solving mindset, and the ability to coach and motivate others. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same – from developing local delivery plans and liaising with employers, to supporting participants with vocational profiling and training.
If you’re passionate about inclusive employment and want to make a real difference in Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. This is a full-time role. There is some flexibility in how you work your hours (to be discussed at interview stage). Your base will be County Hall, with the option of flexible working at home or our other centres. There may be the occasional requirement to travel across the county for meetings/events.
Typical Responsibilities
- Building trusted relationships with participants and supporting them to engage in structured plans to find and sustain employment.
- Completing and updating vocational profiles, identifying individuals’ skills, experiences, needs and employment preferences.
- Developing person-centred action plans that lead to sustainable employment, following the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
- Engaging with local employers to find paid employment opportunities and match participants to suitable roles.
- Supporting employers to adopt inclusive recruitment practices.
- Providing in-work support to participants, helping them settle into roles, build confidence and integrate into the workplace.
- Working in partnership with agencies across social care, health and employment to design effective referral and progression pathways.
- Maintaining accurate records for audit and performance monitoring, including eligibility checks and employment outcomes.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.
About You
The Connect to Work Employment Support Officers will have:
- A minimum Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject (or able to demonstrate equivalent experience).
- L2 Eng and maths (or equivalent experience, demonstrated through application process).
- Recent experience of successfully delivering high-quality employment programmes.
- Experience of working with adults facing complex and multiple barriers to employment (e.g., learning disabilities, neurodiversity, care leavers).
- Strong understanding of Supported Employment and the challenges faced by target groups in accessing and sustaining work.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to coach, mentor and motivate others.
- Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to develop person-centred action plans based on vocational assessments.
- Experience of engaging with local employers to create inclusive job opportunities for people facing barriers to employment.
- The ability to work in partnership with a range of agencies and tailor communication to different audiences.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working?
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
Claire Smith, Connect to Work Project Manager or Andrew Day, Senior Adult Learning Manager - Skills
Telephone: 07710 202109 or 0116 305 3620
Email: claire.e.smith@leics.gov.uk or andrew.day@leics.gov.uk
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally.
If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Connect to Work Employment Support Officer in Glenfield employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to improving the lives of residents through inclusive and accessible employment support programmes. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working options, and a collaborative work culture, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and innovation.
Contact Details:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Connect to Work Employment Support Officer in Glenfield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Leicestershire County Council and the Connect to Work project. Understanding their values and mission will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. This insider knowledge can give you a real edge.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how your past experiences align with the role's requirements, especially around supporting individuals with barriers to employment. Practise your responses so you can deliver them confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Connect to Work Employment Support Officer in Glenfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the criteria in the 'About You' section. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to the Connect to Work project!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for improving lives shine through! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially when working with individuals facing barriers to employment.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and passion.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as possible through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the Connect to Work project and its goals. Familiarise yourself with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with supporting individuals facing barriers to employment.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully delivered employment programmes in the past. Highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and any creative strategies you've used to engage participants and employers.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, demonstrate your ability to build trusted relationships. Share stories that showcase your interpersonal skills and how you've motivated others, especially those with complex needs, to achieve their employment goals.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare questions that show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the challenges they face in supporting residents or how they measure success in their employment programmes. This will show you're engaged and eager to contribute.
