At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with health barriers to achieve sustainable employment through tailored guidance.
- Company: The Growth Company, dedicated to empowering communities in Staffordshire.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a real difference and develop your skills in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help change lives through meaningful employment support.
- Qualifications: Experience in employability and a genuine interest in helping others succeed.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Growth Company’s (GC) Employment team have an exciting new opportunity for an Employment Specialist to join a team delivering a new employability and health programme across Staffordshire. You’ll work within the community to support people with health conditions or barriers to employment to achieve their goals and move into sustainable work. We’re particularly keen to hear from candidates with a solid background in employability, capable of delivering tailored, community-based employment support. An understanding of vocational profiling and personalised planning would be an advantage, along with the ability to help participants identify their strengths, build confidence, and connect with local employers. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives through high-quality, person-centred employment support. This role will be working within the community in the North Staffordshire area. Applications will be treated as expressions of interest and are subject to the successful award of contract.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of around 24 clients, supporting their journey into meaningful and sustainable employment.
- Deliver tailored support including CV writing, job searching, interview preparation, and career planning.
- Complete Vocational Profiles and Action Plans to identify individual strengths, aspirations, and goals.
- Collaborate with clinical teams to generate referrals and promote employment as a positive health intervention.
- Provide ongoing in-work support to both clients and employers to help sustain employment outcomes.
- Identify suitable job opportunities through tailored searches and proactive employer engagement.
- Offer guidance on personal circumstances such as benefits, health disclosures, and workplace adjustments.
- Maintain accurate and compliant records using internal systems and documentation protocols.
About You
- Empathetic and approachable, with a genuine interest in helping others achieve their goals.
- Confident working independently and managing a varied caseload with flexibility and resilience.
- Brings a solid background in employability and understands the challenges faced by jobseekers.
- Comfortable building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including employers and clinical teams.
- Committed to promoting equality, inclusion, and challenging discrimination.
- Experienced in lone working and outreach, with a proactive and solution-focused approach.
- Skilled at developing trust and rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Skills Required
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
- Proven experience supporting individuals with complex needs, including health conditions or disabilities.
- Ability to work in a target-driven environment focused on achieving and sustaining job outcomes.
- Strong guidance and coaching skills, with experience delivering one-to-one and group sessions.
- Good understanding of local labour markets and employment support services.
- Background in advice, guidance, or counselling environments.
- Awareness of barriers to employment and strategies to overcome them.
- Familiarity with safeguarding, information governance, and vocational rehabilitation practices.
At GC, safeguarding the welfare of all individuals including vulnerable adults and young people is a top priority, and we expect all staff to uphold this standard. All appointments follow Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd), at no cost to the successful candidate. Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List. We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community. If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.
Employment Specialist employer: The Growth Company
The Growth Company in Wirral is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees. With a strong focus on collaboration and inclusivity, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while benefiting from ongoing professional growth and support. The company fosters a positive work culture where your contributions are valued, and you can thrive in a role that truly makes a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist
✨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 Growth Company.
✨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 Growth Company!
✨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 Growth Company, 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 Growth Company 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
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 Growth Company:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Growth Company! 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 Growth Company
✨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.
