At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in achieving their career goals and securing meaningful employment.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, training opportunities, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team focused on recovery and empowerment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while promoting inclusion and equality.
- Qualifications: Experience in health services or recruitment, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 € per year.
Location: Thanet, Dover and Folkestone/Hythe
Salary: Up to £30,000, depending on experience
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Are you passionate about helping people achieve their career goals? Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of those living with mental health conditions, long‑term physical health challenges, or disabilities? We’re looking for a full‑time Employment Specialist (35 hours/week) to join our Connect to Work team across Thanet, Dover and Folkestone/Hythe. You’ll support participants to secure and sustain meaningful employment, using their skills, strengths, and aspirations as the guide. Due to the nature of the role, all applicants must hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
Who’s Looking For
- Experience in health‑related services, employability, adult skills, or recruitment.
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
- Confidence in coaching, mentoring, and advocacy.
- Passion for inclusion, equality, and removing barriers to employment.
What You’ll Do
- Manage a caseload of motivated participants and deliver tailored support from job search to sustained employment.
- Provide one‑to‑one and group coaching on CVs, applications, interviews, and employability skills.
- Build strong relationships with local employers, match participants to suitable roles, and negotiate workplace adjustments.
- Offer ongoing in‑work support to ensure participants thrive.
- Collaborate with community organisations, clinical teams, and training providers to remove barriers to employment.
This is your chance to make a tangible difference in peoples lives every day while working in a supportive, collaborative, and recovery‑focused environment. You’ll receive full IPS/Connect to Work training, develop your skills, and be part of a team that empowers people to achieve their employment goals and build lasting independence. If you’re ready to help people transform their futures through work, apply now and join our mission to make employment accessible for all.
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.
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 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.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.
Employment Specialist : Thanet in Folkestone employer: TipTopJob
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals facing mental health challenges and disabilities to achieve their career aspirations. With a strong focus on employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work culture, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying comprehensive benefits such as wellbeing days, training opportunities, and a contributory pension scheme. Join us in our mission to create accessible employment for all and be part of a team that values inclusion and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist : Thanet in Folkestone
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on The Forward Trust. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect your passion for helping others with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience aligns with supporting people with mental health conditions and disabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your relationship-building skills! During the interview, share examples of how you've successfully built connections with participants or employers in the past. This is key for the Employment Specialist role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist : Thanet in Folkestone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for helping others shine through. We want to see how you can make a difference in the lives of those facing challenges, so share your experiences and motivations clearly.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Employment Specialist. Highlight relevant experience in health-related services, coaching, or recruitment, and don’t forget to showcase your strong communication skills!
Be Specific in Your Examples:Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements. Whether it’s a successful coaching session or a time you built a relationship with an employer, we love seeing concrete evidence of your impact.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our mission there.
How to prepare for a job interview at TipTopJob
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of an Employment Specialist inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, like managing a caseload and providing tailored support. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in health-related services or employability. Think of specific examples where you've successfully coached or mentored someone. This will demonstrate your strong communication skills and your passion for inclusion and equality.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use active listening and engage with their questions. This is especially important for a role that involves relationship-building with participants and employers, so showing your interpersonal skills can really set you apart.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team, the challenges they face, or how they measure success. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to the team's mission of empowering people to achieve their employment goals.
