Employment Specialist

Job Description: Connect to Work Employment Specialist

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Location: Durham
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Salary: £30,000 per annum
(Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle insured for business use is required)

Role Overview:
We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Connect to Work Employment Specialist to support individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to employment to secure and sustain meaningful paid work.
This role follows the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model — an evidence-based approach to vocational rehabilitation that focuses on rapid job search, tailored support, and close collaboration with employers and clinical teams.
As an Employment Specialist, you will manage a caseload of up to 25 participants, providing one-to-one support, developing personalised employment plans, and engaging with local employers to create sustainable job opportunities. You will also play a vital role in promoting inclusion, challenging stigma, and supporting individuals to achieve their long-term goals.
Your work will be primarily community-based, with flexibility to manage your diary and maximise face-to-face time with participants.

Key Responsibilities:
Person-Centred Support
· Provide tailored one-to-one employment support in line with IPS principles.
· Work collaboratively with participants to identify their strengths, aspirations, and barriers.
· Support individuals to prepare for, secure, and sustain suitable paid employment.
· Deliver ongoing in-work support to promote job retention and career progression.
· Use assessment tools such as vocational profiling to identify support needs and inform job goals.

Employer & Stakeholder Engagement
· Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with local employers to identify suitable opportunities.
· Promote inclusive recruitment practices and educate employers on reasonable adjustments.
· Negotiate job opportunities that align with participants\’ skills and preferences.
· Collaborate with clinical teams, therapists, and support networks to align employment support with recovery pathways.
· Represent the service at local partnership events, forums, and meetings.
Performance & Quality
· Manage a caseload of up to 25 participants, ensuring a high-quality, outcomes-focused service.
· Achieve and exceed progression and sustainment targets through effective planning and support delivery.
· Maintain accurate and timely records of participant progress, employer engagement, and outcomes.
· Work within a structured delivery model while applying creative approaches to ensure participant engagement.
Resilience & Problem Solving
· Demonstrate adaptability, persistence, and a positive, recovery-focused attitude.
· Use creative strategies to overcome employment barriers and achieve positive outcomes.
· Remain calm and solution-focused when faced with challenges.
Time & Caseload Management
· Effectively manage competing priorities and caseload demands.
· Adopt a proactive diary management approach to maximise community-based engagement.
· Ensure all delivery aligns with IPS fidelity standards and quality assurance expectations.

Essential Criteria:
· Proven experience supporting individuals to overcome barriers to employment.
· Strong understanding of supported employment principles and practices.
· Track record of building effective employer relationships and partnerships.
· Experience delivering one-to-one and small group support.
· Proven record of meeting and exceeding performance targets.
· Outstanding interpersonal skills, including empathy, teamwork, and emotional intelligence.
· Excellent written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
· Strong organisational, networking, and time management skills.
· Resilient, adaptable, and self-motivated, with a positive and professional approach.
· Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle insured for business use.

Desirable Criteria:
· Experience working in employability, publicly funded services, or similar sectors.
· Experience working with diverse or disadvantaged populations.
· Pre-existing local employer or partner network.
· Knowledge of employment law, welfare benefits, and vocational rehabilitation.
· Experience contributing to service improvement and innovation. xiskglj
· A proactive, solutions-focused attitude with the ability to work independently.

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact Robert Rowe on (phone number removed) or email your CV to (url removed)