At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing mental health challenges to retain their jobs and achieve employment goals.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and commitment to equality and inclusion are key.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting mental health or employment-related challenges is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30093 - 30093 £ per year.
Reports to: Service Manager
Location: Hybrid (Office, Community and Remote). Office based in Leatherhead but must be willing and able to travel within Surrey and NE Hants
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03 per annum. Please note that the starting point for this role will be £30,093 per annum. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About You
You are passionate about helping people improve their mental health through meaningful employment and believe that good work plays an important role in recovery. You are compassionate, person-centred and motivated to empower individuals to overcome barriers and achieve their employment goals.
- Experience supporting people with mental health conditions or other barriers to employment.
- A strengths-based, recovery-focused approach.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to motivate, coach and empower individuals.
- Confidence managing a varied caseload and complex employment situations.
- Resilience, adaptability and sound judgement when working in challenging or sensitive circumstances.
- Strong organisational and IT skills, with experience maintaining accurate electronic records.
- A good understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Ideally, experience within mental health, Talking Therapies, supported employment or vocational rehabilitation services.
- Knowledge of employment legislation and workplace adjustments is desirable.
What You'll Do
As an Employment Specialist within the Job Retention team, you will provide personalised, recovery-focused support to people experiencing mental health difficulties who are at risk of losing their jobs. Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing a varied caseload and delivering tailored one-to-one employment support.
- Supporting individuals to overcome barriers affecting their ability to remain in work.
- Completing vocational assessments and developing personalised support plans.
- Providing coaching on workplace wellbeing, confidence, stress management and work-life balance.
- Working with employers (with participant consent) to promote reasonable adjustments, inclusive workplaces and successful return-to-work plans.
- Managing complex employment situations while balancing the needs of participants, employers and healthcare professionals.
- Collaborating with therapists, clinicians and partner organisations to ensure employment remains a key part of recovery.
- Maintaining accurate records, monitoring outcomes and contributing to continuous service improvement.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate and proactive Employment Specialist who believes in the positive impact that meaningful employment can have on mental health and recovery. The ideal candidate will:
- Be committed to delivering person-centred, recovery-focused support.
- Have experience supporting people facing mental health or employment-related challenges.
- Build strong, trusting relationships with participants, employers and healthcare professionals.
- Be confident handling sensitive and complex employment situations with professionalism and empathy.
- Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and external organisations.
- Demonstrate excellent organisational, communication and record-keeping skills.
- Be able to travel across Surrey and North East Hampshire and work flexibly across office, community and remote settings.
- Be committed to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding in all aspects of their work.
Additional Information
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
- Regular travel across the service area will be required.
- This role requires flexibility to work outside of normal core hours on occasion, for example to accommodate participants who are only available before or after the standard working day due to their employment commitments. Flexible working arrangements will be agreed in line with service needs with TOIL available as agreed.
- This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check which will be completed upon offer.
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing Date: 2026-08-11
Employment Specialist - Job Retention employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to impactful change, we offer a supportive work culture, generous annual leave, and various well-being initiatives, making it a fulfilling place to work for those passionate about guiding individuals towards recovery. Join us in a role where your contributions truly matter, and be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist - Job Retention
✨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 Waythrough.
✨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 Waythrough!
✨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 Waythrough, 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 Waythrough 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 - Job Retention
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 Waythrough:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Waythrough! 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 Waythrough
✨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.
