About Us
The Connect to Work Programme is funding by Department of Work and Pensions and sits as part of the wider ‘Get Britain Working’ plan by UK Government. The Connect to Work team sits within the Learning & Skills Directorate, supporting residents across the Vale of Glamorgan to overcome barriers, build confidence, and enter sustainable employment.
About Us
The Connect to Work Programme is funding by Department of Work and Pensions and sits as part of the wider ‘Get Britain Working’ plan by UK Government. The Connect to Work team sits within the Learning & Skills Directorate, supporting residents across the Vale of Glamorgan to overcome barriers, build confidence, and enter sustainable employment.
The team will be part of the wider Vale Employability Programmes, working collaboratively alongside Communities for Work Plus and CELT+, as well as partners, employers, and community organisations to promote inclusion, reduce inequalities, and help people achieve their potential.
Ambitious - Forward thinking, embracing new ways of working and investing in our future.
Open - Open to different ideas and being accountable for the decisions we take.
Together - Working together as a team that engages with our customers and partners, respects diversity and is committed to quality services.
Proud - Proud of the Vale of Glamorgan; proud to serve our communities and to be part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
About The Role
Pay Details: Grade 6 SCP 14 - 19 £29,540 - £32,061
Hours of Work / Working Pattern: 37 hours per week
Main Place of Work: Barry and various locations across the Vale of Glamorgan
Temporary Reason: Programme Funding
Number of Positions: 2
Description: As an Employment Specialist within Connect to Work, you will provide intensive, personalised, employment‑focused support to people facing significant and multiple barriers. This includes participants with disabilities, serious mental health conditions, those who are long‑term unemployed, carers, people with criminal convictions or who have experienced abuse, and individuals underrepresented in the labour market.
You will:
- Manage a caseload, delivering 1‑1 mentoring, action planning, vocational profiling and job‑seeking support.
- Help participants overcome complex challenges through creative problem‑solving and strengths‑based approaches.
- Work proactively with employers, service providers and multidisciplinary partners to create sustainable employment pathways.
- Support participants in work, including follow‑up and job‑sustainability support.
- Record data accurately and maintain full compliance with GDPR, safeguarding and performance monitoring requirements.
- Contribute to programme targets and continuous improvement.
- Deliver an accessible, flexible service — sometimes including outreach work
This is a rewarding role where you will directly change lives by helping individuals gain confidence, skills and employment.
About You
You will be passionate about helping people overcome barriers, and comfortable working with individuals who may be vulnerable, marginalised, or facing complex circumstances.
You will have:
- Experience providing intensive, employment‑focused mentoring.
- Experience working with diverse and complex client groups, including those with disabilities, mental health conditions, criminal convictions, or long‑term unemployment.
- A track record of achieving outcomes or targets in an employability, wellbeing or support environment.
- Experience working in multi‑agency settings and confidence engaging hard‑to‑reach participants.
- Strong understanding of the challenges faced by people who are economically inactive or underrepresented in the labour market.
- Good organisational skills, excellent communication, and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
- A flexible approach to providing an accessible service.
- Knowledge of Supported Employment methodology and the needs of individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions and complex barriers.
- Up‑to‑date understanding of employment, benefits and welfare reform in Wales.
- Strong ICT skills and the ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to travel within the Vale.
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Additional information
- This role requires working across multiple outreach sites.
- Some evening or flexible hours may be required to support accessibility for participants.
- The post involves working with vulnerable adults and requires high standards of confidentiality and professionalism.
DBS Check Required: Enhanced
Shortlisting date : TBC
Interview date: TBC
For Further Information, contact: Lee Boyland-King – lboyland@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
Please see attached job description / person specification for further information.
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