At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with health conditions to find meaningful employment and build relationships with employers.
- Company: Join South Yorkshire Housing Association, a diverse and inclusive organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Receive training, support, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Transform lives and empower others while developing your skills in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just a passion for helping others and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Looking to make a genuine difference and transform someone’s life? We are seeking motivated and passionate Employment Specialists who are looking for a career in the health and work sector to be part of our brilliant teams here at South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA). We are currently recruiting for roles across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. Do you want to understand more about the crucial role employment can play in enhancing the lives of those with health conditions?
- Do you enjoy meeting people and making new connections?
- Do you want to make a genuine difference and transform someone’s life?
If you answer yes to all the above, then we encourage you to apply!
More about the role: As an Employment Specialist you will play a vital role in working alongside people with mental health conditions and disabilities to gain sustainable paid work. You’ll receive all the training and support you need to take on the role and have access to a wide range of opportunities to develop your skills whilst working at SYHA. We welcome applications from all experience levels and backgrounds.
What you will need is a good understanding of the barriers faced by people with disabilities and mental health conditions, with experience of networking and building relationships with a variety of people.
What is an Employment Specialist? This is a rewarding and diverse role where no day is ever the same. Using the person-centred Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model which has zero exclusion criteria you will be supporting people from all walks of life by:
- Using a strengths-based coaching style to encourage sustainable outcomes for the individuals in your caseload.
- Build relationships with employers to understand their recruitment needs and source individualised employment opportunities based on people’s preferences.
- Work with employers to support their employees who are struggling due to their health to thrive in the workplace.
- Motivate people, to ensure frequent engagement and to focus on developing their skills and confidence to ensure they are equipped with the necessary knowhow to find and sustain meaningful and fulfilling employment.
- Work with health partners to provide an integrated, and well-rounded employment service.
- Advocating for your caseload by educating and engaging with employers regarding the employment service.
Who are we looking for? We are seeking a positive, proactive and compassionate person to join our organisation and welcome applications from all experience levels and backgrounds. You do not need to have worked in this role before! Ideally, our successful candidates will have:
- Commitment, drive and integrity to challenge inequality and break down barriers, with a strong belief in a strength-based approach and tailored goals.
- Ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders using a variety of methods such as in-person or via email.
- Excellent organisational skills, including diary management, with the ability to manage various tasks and priorities.
- Have excellent IT skills and the confidence to learn new CRM’s and MS 365 and be proficient in using word, excel and PowerPoint.
- Confidence to work out in the community, meeting new employers, advocating for the people who want to work, and showcasing all our service has to offer.
- Strong ability to record information accurately and timely.
- Ability to travel within the South Yorkshire and holding a full valid driving license with access to a vehicle for work is essential.
We are also actively interested in individuals with transferrable skills for this role such as experience in using a persuasive communication style, motivational interviewing or promoting service to a variety of audiences, this can include but not limited to, coaching, recruitment, sales, education, training/mentoring or sales roles.
Who we are: At South Yorkshire Housing Association, our purpose is for our customers to settle at home, live well and realise their potential. Feeling settled and living well means different things to the people and families that live across South Yorkshire. So, we work with people in different ways – from our extra-care housing, to providing services and opportunities that individuals can access in their home, workplace and community, to creating houses for affordable rent. Our employees enable us to create the best services, support, and experiences for our customers. We believe that difference makes us better, and that our services are made stronger by having a diverse workforce. We encourage and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Please note that we may remove this advert prior to the advertised date, dependent on the level of response received. Please apply at your earliest convenience.
At SYHA, we value the incredible contribution and talent that people with disabilities can and do bring to our workplace and we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. As part of our commitments, we will ensure that disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview. To be considered under the scheme, disabled applicants must disclose their disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) on the Equal Opportunities section of the job application.
SYHA does not hold a sponsorship license and are unable to provide visa sponsorship. For the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 this is an excluded job.
Closing Date: 12th April 2026 at midnight Interview Dates: 20th, 23rd and 24th April 2026
Employment Specialist employer: South Yorkshire Housing
Contact Detail:
South Yorkshire Housing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Get networking! Reach out to people in the health and work sector, especially those who are already working as Employment Specialists. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and employers. Building connections can open doors for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with someone about the role, let your enthusiasm shine through. Talk about why you want to make a difference in people's lives and how you believe employment can transform their situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Prepare a short introduction about yourself that highlights your skills and experiences relevant to the Employment Specialist role. This will help you feel more confident when meeting new people and discussing opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at SYHA and making a real impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for making a difference shine through! We want to see how motivated you are to help others and transform lives, so share your personal experiences or reasons that drive you to apply for this role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description. We’re looking for candidates who understand the barriers faced by people with disabilities and mental health conditions, so be specific about your relevant experiences!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’d be a great fit for the Employment Specialist role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do, so go ahead and get that application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Yorkshire Housing
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of an Employment Specialist and the impact it has on people's lives. Familiarise yourself with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and be ready to discuss how you can apply a strengths-based coaching style in your work.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about making a difference, so let your passion shine through! Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to helping others, especially those with disabilities or mental health conditions. Employers love to see genuine enthusiasm.
✨Build Connections
Since networking is key in this role, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've successfully connected with various stakeholders in the past, whether in previous jobs or volunteer roles.
✨Be Organised and Confident
Bring along any necessary documents, like your CV and references, and have a list of questions ready for the interviewer. Show that you're organised and confident by managing your time well during the interview and engaging actively with the panel.