Employment Specialist - Folkestone/Hythe /Dover - Folkestone in Elvington

Looking for a role where you can genuinely change lives? At The Forward Trust, we are looking for compassionate, motivated Employment Specialists to join our Connect to Work team across Folkestone / Hythe and Dover. This is a full-time role working 35 hours per week, although part-time or reduced hours will also be considered depending on business needs and service requirements.

If you enjoy helping people build confidence, overcome barriers and move towards a better future, this could be the perfect opportunity to make a real difference every day. You will support people facing barriers to employment, including mental health challenges, long-term health conditions, disabilities and other life circumstances, helping them find meaningful work, sustain employment and progress towards greater independence.

What you will be doing:

• You will manage your own caseload and provide personalised support throughout each participant's employment journey, including:
• CV writing, job applications and interview preparation
• Career coaching, confidence building and job searching
• Delivering one-to-one and group support sessions
• Building relationships with local employers and identifying opportunities
• Supporting inclusive workplaces and reasonable adjustments
• Providing in-work support to help people sustain and progress in employment
• Working closely with community organisations, health services and training providers to remove barriers and create joined-up support

Full IPS / Connect to Work training will be provided, along with ongoing development and support.

What we are looking for:

• Experience in the areas listed below is desirable but not essential, as comprehensive training will be provided to successful candidates:
• Employability or recruitment
• Health, wellbeing or support services
• Adult learning or skills programmes
• Coaching, mentoring or support work

• You will also bring:
• Strong communication, relationship-building and transferable skills
• Confidence working with people from diverse backgrounds
• A positive, supportive and person-centred approach
• A genuine belief that everyone deserves access to employment opportunities

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential for this role.

We value your time and commitment, which is why all business-related travel mileage and site parking costs can be fully claimed back. Whether you're travelling between locations or attending meetings in the local community, you'll be reimbursed for eligible expenses, helping to keep your out-of-pocket costs to a minimum while you focus on delivering great work.

For more than 25 years, The Forward Trust has helped people overcome challenges including addiction, offending and unemployment to build healthier, more stable futures. We are committed to creating a supportive, flexible and inclusive working environment where our people can thrive while making a genuine impact in the communities we serve.

Benefits:

• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part-time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme: Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Diversity at Forward Trust:

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with Lived Experience of addiction, offending, or homelessness. When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

To find out more about Forward's commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy, please let us know.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work:

Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview. If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the Eligibility to Work in the UK requirements.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding:

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follows safer recruitment practices and supports a culture of openness and accountability.