At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower individuals to overcome barriers and achieve sustainable employment.
- Company: Fedcap, a mission-driven organisation focused on improving economic mobility.
- Benefits: 33 days annual leave, health support, and a £500 benefits scheme.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by changing lives through employment.
- Qualifications: Experience supporting people with disabilities or complex needs is essential.
The predicted salary is between 33048 - 35535 £ per year.
About the Programme
Connect to Work is a voluntary Supported Employment programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and commissioned across Surrey to support people who are disabled, have long-term health conditions, or face complex barriers to employment. The programme supports both people looking for work and those already in employment who need support to retain their job.
Delivered through the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), Connect to Work follows a place, train and maintain model. This person-centred approach matches individuals with suitable employment opportunities, provides tailored support to help them succeed in the workplace, and offers ongoing in-work support to both participants and employers to promote sustainable, long-term employment outcomes.
About The Role - Make a Difference. Change Lives Through Employment.
Salary: £33,048 to £35,535
Location: Surrey (Staines/Guilford), community-based delivery.
Hours: 37.5 hours
Travel: This is a community-based role, so candidates must be flexible and willing to travel across Surrey to meet and support customers in a variety of locations.
Do you believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to work, regardless of the challenges they face? We're looking for passionate, resilient, and people-focused Employment Specialists to join our Connect to Work team. This is a highly mobile role but it’s more than just a job, it's an opportunity to empower individuals to overcome barriers, build confidence and achieve sustainable employment that transforms their lives. No two days are the same. One day you could be meeting a participant in a community hub, the next supporting an employer to create an inclusive workplace or helping someone prepare for their first interview in years. Every conversation has the potential to change a life.
What You'll Be Doing
- Supporting participants to identify their career ambitions and create a personalised pathway into work.
- Manage a caseload effectively to achieve contractual, organisational and service delivery targets.
- Using vocational profiling to develop tailored My Success Plans that support long-term employment outcomes.
- Helping individuals build an Employability Passport, including CV development, interview preparation, confidence building, and advice around disclosing health conditions or disabilities.
- Promoting the health, wellbeing and financial benefits of employment, including completing Better Off Calculations.
- Working closely with local employers to identify inclusive job opportunities that match participants' skills and aspirations.
- Providing practical in-work support to both employers and employees to help placements succeed.
- Working collaboratively with community mental health teams and other health professionals to support individuals with complex needs.
- Championing inclusive recruitment and helping employers make simple workplace adjustments.
- Maintaining accurate records that reflect each participant's journey and achievements.
- Working flexibly across community venues, GP surgeries, Job Centres, local hubs and from home to meet people where they are.
Above all, you'll embrace a zero-rejection approach, believing that everyone who wants to work deserves the opportunity to do so.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who is empathetic, proactive and motivated by helping others achieve their potential. You'll bring:
- Experience supporting people with health conditions, disabilities or complex needs, ideally within employability, vocational rehabilitation or welfare-to-work services (lived experience is also valued).
- Proven experience of the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) in an employment or comparable environment.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage participants, employers and stakeholders alike.
- A genuine belief in the life-changing impact of good work.
- Comfortable working in a target driven environment.
- An understanding of the barriers unemployed people can face and the confidence to help them overcome them.
- The ability to work independently in roles across the local community.
- Strong digital skills and the ability to work across face-to-face and remote environments.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.
- An authentic, supportive approach that inspires confidence while providing constructive challenge.
It would be great (but not essential) if you also have:
- A driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Experience working with health, education or community partners.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, mental health first aid or systematic instruction.
What Else We Offer
We’re mission-led organisation with social value at our core. We’re a Disability Confident Leader and proud to reflect the communities we serve.
You’ll make a real impact: Every success story you help write will be felt in homes, workplaces, and communities across the city.
You’ll grow: With access to training, reflective practice, and a national network of likeminded colleagues.
You’ll be supported: We believe in teamwork, check-ins, manageable caseloads.
You’ll be part of something bigger: From mental health awareness to inclusive recruitment and sustainable employment, your work contributes to broader change.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated fairly, feels they belong, and can do their best work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and communities, and we value the different perspectives and lived experiences they bring. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Fedcap are Disability Confident Leader employers. We will consider reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and, where required, in the workplace. We will not exclude a candidate with a disability unless they are unable to carry out a duty that is intrinsic to the role, after reasonable adjustments have been considered. We are positive about employing veterans, serving personnel, and spouses/partners and family members, as part of our commitment to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. As a Ban the Box employer, we assess applicants on their skills and potential. We do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and any relevant information is considered fairly and in line with the role.
If you need any adjustments to apply for this role or to take part in the recruitment process, please let us know. We’re committed to making our recruitment process fair, accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Additional Benefits
At Fedcap, we offer a comprehensive and rewarding benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and personal development. Some of our benefits include:
- 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to buy or sell additional days.
- £500 annual benefits scheme to spend at over 900 retailers.
- Cycle to Work scheme open all year round.
- Pension scheme with up to 5% employer match.
- Free life assurance worth 4x your salary.
- Health & wellbeing support, including access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
- Digital gym, mindfulness resources, virtual GP and more.
About Fedcap
In the UK, Fedcap is a not-for-profit organisation committed to improving people’s economic mobility. We support people to find work and access better health, education and learning opportunities. Working across our four integrated practice areas – education, workforce development, health, and economic development – we deliver research-based solutions that remove barriers and open doors to economic mobility and wellbeing for individuals and communities. We’re part of The Fedcap Group which serves more than 332,000 people each year through a network of not-for-profit affiliates in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Mission: To create opportunities for people by designing and delivering innovative, sustainable solutions and creating measurable changes for those who are socially disadvantaged.
Employment Specialist in Guildford employer: The Fedcap Group
Fedcap is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community through its Connect to Work programme. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, professional development, and a supportive work culture, staff enjoy generous benefits such as 33 days of annual leave, a comprehensive health support system, and opportunities for training and growth. Working in Surrey, you'll be part of a mission-driven team that champions inclusivity and empowers individuals to overcome barriers to employment, making every day rewarding and transformative.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist in Guildford
✨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 The Fedcap Group.
✨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 The Fedcap Group!
✨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 The Fedcap Group, 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 The Fedcap Group 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 Employment Specialist in Guildford
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 The Fedcap Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Fedcap Group! 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 The Fedcap Group
✨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.
