At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower individuals to overcome health barriers and achieve their employment goals through personalised coaching.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, a leading local authority committed to community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to tackling inequalities and improving community outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building valuable skills and connections.
- Qualifications: Experience in one-to-one support or coaching, strong communication, and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
The role
We're looking for a motivated and compassionate Work and Health Coach to help local residents overcome health-related barriers to employment.
Joining a new team delivering the Work Well programme in Southwark, you'll work closely with people who are struggling to stay in work or return to work due to physical or mental health conditions.
You'll provide personalised coaching, practical support and access to the right services, helping participants build confidence, improve their wellbeing and make sustainable progress towards their employment goals.
You'll manage your own caseload, working one-to-one with participants face-to-face, online and by phone to understand their circumstances, identify barriers and develop personalised action plans.
This will include providing career guidance and employment advice, supporting job searches, CVs and interview preparation, helping participants access appropriate health, wellbeing, training and employment services, and identifying workplace adjustments that can help people retain employment.
You'll also build positive relationships with employers and local health, wellbeing, employment and training services to create opportunities and provide effective, joined-up support.
Alongside direct work with participants, you'll maintain accurate and confidential records, monitor progress against agreed outcomes, contribute to programme performance reporting and gather feedback to help continuously improve the service.
The role will involve a mix of office-based working, home working and meeting participants at appropriate locations across the local community.
What you'll be doing
- Coach and empower Work Well participants through personalised one-to-one support, helping them overcome health-related barriers and achieve their employment goals.
- Create tailored action plans and provide practical careers and employment support, including job searching, CVs, interview preparation and workplace adjustments.
- Connect people to the right support, working with health, wellbeing, employment and training services to provide joined-up, holistic support.
- Build strong employer relationships to help participants secure or retain suitable employment and identify practical workplace solutions.
- Manage your own caseload while maintaining accurate, confidential records and monitoring progress against agreed outcomes and targets.
- Help shape and improve the service by contributing to programme reporting, gathering feedback and sharing learning from participants and partners.
What we're looking for
- Experience of one-to-one support or coaching, ideally within an employment, health, wellbeing or employability programme.
- Understanding of the barriers faced by people with physical or mental health needs when accessing or remaining in employment.
- Experience of working to targets and contributing to high performance standards and positive outcomes.
- Strong communication and listening skills, with the ability to build trust and communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
- A thorough and accurate approach to managing information, record keeping and maintaining confidentiality.
- A creative and flexible approach to problem-solving, with the ability to respond effectively to individual circumstances.
- Strong partnership and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with employers, services and colleagues.
- Good organisational and digital skills, including the ability to manage a caseload, prioritise work and use MS Office and web-based databases or CRM systems.
Why Southwark?
Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents.
We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough
Market along with conservation areas, historic buildings, social enterprises and a young, diverse, and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities.
Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities.
Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark 2030 and Southwark Stands Together, underpins all that we do.
We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Employee benefits
You’ll join a motivated, driven, and supportive team that values each of its members and strives for excellence.
You’ll also be part of a successful, high-achieving development team making a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough.
- In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:
- A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
- Strong supportive senior management team
- Regular one to one supervision
- Professional development & training opportunities
- Clear career development pathways
- Agile and flexible working arrangements
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Season ticket and cycle loans
- Annual Leave starting at 27 days per year, increasing to 35 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
- Wellbeing programme
- HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
- EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
- Social clubs and staff groups
- Additional information
When completing your supporting statement, please provide clear examples that demonstrate how you meet the Essential shortlisting criteria marked ‘S’ in the person specification.
The role is offered on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2029. Internal employees wishing to apply as a secondment opportunity are encouraged to seek agre
Work and Health Coach in London employer: Southwark Council Careers
As the largest local authority social landlord in London, Southwark is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where employees are empowered to thrive. With a strong commitment to tackling inequalities and enhancing community well-being, we offer our HR Business Partners the chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying professional growth opportunities within a supportive team. Join us in shaping a fairer future for Southwark's residents and experience the unique advantage of working in a vibrant borough that values its people and their contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Work and Health Coach in London
✨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 Southwark Council Careers.
✨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 Southwark Council Careers!
✨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 Southwark Council Careers, 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 Southwark Council Careers 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 Work and Health Coach in London
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 Southwark Council Careers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southwark Council Careers! 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 Southwark Council Careers
✨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.