At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health and disabilities to find meaningful employment.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering lives.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Collaborative role with excellent career growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through employment support.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others, strong relationship-building skills, and community engagement experience.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about helping people unlock their potential through meaningful employment? We're looking for a motivated Employment Specialist to support people living with mental health conditions, long-term physical health conditions, or disabilities to move into work that suits their skills, strengths, and ambitions. Working across Medway and Gravesham, you'll deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model as part of the Connect to Work programme. This evidence-based approach focuses on helping people move into competitive employment quickly, with personalised support that continues once they start work. Full IPS training will be provided, so if you bring the right passion and people skills, we'll equip you with the rest.
Due to the nature of the role, all applicants must hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
What you'll be doing:
- You’ll manage a caseload of around 25 participants who are motivated to start or return to work, providing personalised support from first meeting through to sustaining employment.
- Your role will include:
- Identifying participants' skills, strengths, and career aspirations
- Creating Vocational Profiles and tailored Action Plans
- Supporting with CV writing, job searching, applications, and interview preparation
- Delivering one-to-one and group coaching to build confidence and employability skills
- Helping participants overcome barriers including benefits concerns, health disclosures, or workplace adjustments
- You’ll also play an important role in connecting participants with opportunities in the local labour market.
- Build strong relationships with local employers across North and East Kent
- Identify opportunities in both the advertised and hidden job market
- Match participants to suitable vacancies and coordinate interviews
- Work with employers to promote inclusive recruitment and reasonable adjustments
This role is highly collaborative and community-focused. You’ll work closely with clinical teams, community organisations, training providers, and employers to ensure participants receive holistic support. Once someone starts work, your support doesn’t stop. You’ll continue to provide in-work coaching and guidance, helping participants settle into their role, build confidence, and sustain long-term employment.
About you:
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about people and motivated by helping others achieve their goals. You may come from a background in:
- Health or wellbeing services
- Employability or welfare-to-work programmes
- Adult skills, training, or education
- Recruitment or employer engagement
You’ll also bring strong relationship-building skills, the ability to motivate and coach individuals, and confidence working independently within the community. If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can make a real difference in people's lives through employment, we'd love to hear from you.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
About Us:
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community. We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally, the wellbeing of the employees who work for us is also important.
Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following 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
Employment Specialist - Medway and Gravesham - Medway in Gillingham employer: The Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals on their recovery journey from addiction, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Rugby. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we provide flexible working options, comprehensive training and development opportunities, and generous benefits including enhanced family support and wellbeing days. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career that values your contributions and promotes personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist - Medway and Gravesham - Medway in Gillingham
✨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 The Forward Trust.
✨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 The Forward Trust.
✨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 The Forward Trust.
✨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 The Forward Trust. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist - Medway and Gravesham - Medway in Gillingham
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 The Forward Trust. 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 Employment Specialist - Medway and Gravesham - Medway, 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 The Forward Trust
✨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 The Forward Trust. 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!
