At a Glance
- Tasks: Connect individuals with meaningful job opportunities and support them in their employment journey.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days' annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and collaboration with diverse agencies.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building strong community relationships.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in IAG or equivalent, plus experience in supporting employment goals.
The predicted salary is between 26912 - 32892 £ per year.
Location: County Durham (main base to be discussed with line manager), travel will be required throughout the region and between services.
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (with one 30 minute early finish each week).
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03. Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough: Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we've created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services - and it's all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community: Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job - it's a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About the role: Waythrough is looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Employment Specialist to join our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team. You will play a key role in connecting people with meaningful employment opportunities by building strong relationships with local employers and understanding their recruitment needs. Working closely with Employment Coaches, you will identify suitable job opportunities, match individuals to vacancies based on their skills, experience and aspirations, and support them to secure and sustain employment. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives, helping individuals build confidence, develop their skills and take positive steps towards a brighter future.
What you will do:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers to identify and develop employment opportunities.
- Promote the skills and abilities of the people we support, encouraging employers to consider them for suitable vacancies.
- Arrange work placements, work trials and work experience opportunities.
- Work closely with Employment Coaches to identify individuals who are ready to enter employment and connect them with local employers.
- Match individuals to suitable vacancies based on their skills, experience and employment goals.
- Provide ongoing in-work support to help individuals overcome barriers and sustain their employment.
- Develop a strong understanding of local labour markets, employer requirements and skills shortages.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records, tracking progress and employment outcomes.
- Keep management information systems updated and complete monitoring and reporting requirements for project funders.
- Work collaboratively with other agencies and attend multi-agency meetings where required.
About you: We are looking for someone who is motivated, organised and passionate about supporting people into meaningful and sustainable employment. You will be confident building relationships with employers, understanding their recruitment needs and identifying opportunities that benefit both employers and the people we support. You will also be able to work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organisations to help individuals overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A Level 3 qualification in Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), Employment Related Services or an equivalent qualification.
- Experience supporting individuals to achieve learning and employment goals, with a track record of meeting job outcome targets.
- Experience working with a range of employers to meet their recruitment needs.
- A good understanding of the local labour market and the skills required to apply for vacancies.
- Experience of multi-agency working to support progression into employment.
- Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to maintain accurate records and use management information systems.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office programmes, including Outlook.
- Experience in a sales, recruitment or similar environment would also be considered.
What We Offer: Alongside meaningful work, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package: 27 days' annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays), pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%, life assurance (3× annual salary), enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay, birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days' annual leave, professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications, 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme, recognition and long service awards via our Way.
Employment Specialist employer: recoveryfocus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. Located in Leeds, our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, offering employees opportunities for growth through training and mentorship in the vital field of recovery support. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a fulfilling career in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist
✨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 recoveryfocus.
✨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 recoveryfocus.
✨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 recoveryfocus.
✨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 recoveryfocus. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist
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 recoveryfocus. 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 recoveryfocus
✨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 recoveryfocus. 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!
