At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team to deliver high-quality employment services across Tees Valley.
- Company: Join Waythrough, one of England's largest mental health and social support charities.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £29,430 with potential up to £37,610, plus professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with varied tasks and the chance to shape a new service.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community by helping others achieve independence and stability.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment services and staff supervision is essential.
The predicted salary is between 24771 - 30275 £ per year.
Salary: £29,430 will be starting salary, with full earning potential up to £37,610
Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2028
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, with one 30-minute early finish
Location: Morton Park Business Centre, Darlington
Travel: Travel throughout Tees Valley will be required
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
We're excited to be launching a new Connect to Work Tees Valley service, and we're looking for two experienced Senior Employment Specialists to join us at this important stage. As a Senior Employment Specialist, you'll play a key role in helping us establish and develop the service, supporting a team of Employment Specialists to deliver high-quality supported employment to participants across the Tees Valley.
You’ll provide leadership, supervision, coaching and quality assurance, helping colleagues to deliver in line with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and the requirements of the Connect to Work programme. This is a varied role where no two days are likely to be the same. As this is a new contract, you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in developing the service, working with colleagues and external partners, and helping us build a service that stands out for the quality of support it provides.
What you’ll be doing
- Providing leadership, supervision, coaching and quality assurance to Employment Specialists.
- Supporting the implementation of Connect to Work Grant Guidance, contractual requirements and fidelity standards.
- Promoting and embedding the principles of the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
- Acting as a subject matter expert, providing advice and guidance to colleagues and delivery partners.
- Working with subcontractor managers to support workforce development, performance improvement and consistent service delivery.
- Facilitating performance, quality and case management reviews.
- Managing a small caseload of approximately 5-10 participants.
- Supporting Employment Specialists to develop employer relationships and engage external partners.
- Ensuring high-quality employer engagement takes place to support participants to secure and sustain employment.
- Monitoring client satisfaction and using feedback to help improve the service.
- Identifying training and development needs and supporting colleagues with their continuous professional development.
- Supporting co-production and involving people who use our services in service development where possible.
- Creating a culture of continuous improvement across the service.
About you
We're looking for someone with experience of working within employment services, who can provide effective leadership and support to colleagues while also managing their own caseload. You’ll have a good understanding of supported employment, disability and special needs issues in relation to employment, and the ability to work towards and exceed outcomes and targets. You’ll be confident building relationships with employers, partners, colleagues and other stakeholders, with strong networking and communication skills. You’ll also need experience of supervising, managing or mentoring staff and be able to work independently, use your initiative and help develop and promote a service. Experience of delivering supported employment in line with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and knowledge of Connect to Work requirements and grant guidance would be advantageous.
What you’ll need
- Essential: Experience of working in employment services.
- Experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets.
- Experience of staff supervision, management and/or mentoring.
- Good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment.
- Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies and legislation in relation to employment.
- Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs.
Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior 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!
