At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support individuals in securing meaningful employment across Tees Valley.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment services and strong leadership abilities are essential.
The predicted salary is between 24771 - 30275 £ per year.
Salary: £29,430 will be starting salary, with full earning potential up to £37,610
Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2028
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, with one 30-minute early finish
Location: Morton Park Business Centre, Darlington
Travel: Travel throughout Tees Valley will be required
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. 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 the role
We’re excited to be launching a new Connect to Work Tees Valley service, and we’re looking for two experienced Senior Employment Specialists to join us at this important stage. As a Senior Employment Specialist, you’ll play a key role in helping us establish and develop the service, supporting a team of Employment Specialists to deliver high-quality supported employment to participants across the Tees Valley.
You’ll provide leadership, supervision, coaching and quality assurance, helping colleagues to deliver in line with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and the requirements of the Connect to Work programme. This is a varied role where no two days are likely to be the same. As this is a new contract, you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in developing the service, working with colleagues and external partners, and helping us build a service that stands out for the quality of support it provides.
What you’ll be doing
- You’ll provide day-to-day support and oversight to Employment Specialists employed by Waythrough and our subcontracted delivery partners.
- Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing leadership, supervision, coaching and quality assurance to Employment Specialists.
- Supporting the implementation of Connect to Work Grant Guidance, contractual requirements and fidelity standards.
- Promoting and embedding the principles of the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
- Acting as a subject matter expert, providing advice and guidance to colleagues and delivery partners.
- Working with subcontractor managers to support workforce development, performance improvement and consistent service delivery.
- Facilitating performance, quality and case management reviews.
- Managing a small caseload of approximately 5–10 participants.
- Supporting Employment Specialists to develop employer relationships and engage external partners.
- Ensuring high-quality employer engagement takes place to support participants to secure and sustain employment.
- Monitoring client satisfaction and using feedback to help improve the service.
- Identifying training and development needs and supporting colleagues with their continuous professional development.
- Supporting co-production and involving people who use our services in service development where possible.
- Creating a culture of continuous improvement across the service.
About you
We’re looking for someone with experience of working within employment services, who can provide effective leadership and support to colleagues while also managing their own caseload. You’ll have a good understanding of supported employment, disability and special needs issues in relation to employment, and the ability to work towards and exceed outcomes and targets. You’ll be confident building relationships with employers, partners, colleagues and other stakeholders, with strong networking and communication skills. You’ll also need experience of supervising, managing or mentoring staff and be able to work independently, use your initiative and help develop and promote a service. Experience of delivering supported employment in line with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and knowledge of Connect to Work requirements and grant guidance would be advantageous.
What you’ll need
Essential:
- Experience of working in employment services.
- Experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets.
- Experience of staff supervision, management and/or mentoring.
- Good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment.
- Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies and legislation in relation to employment.
- Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs.
- Ability to extract, analyse and report on management information.
- Ability to model recovery-focused practice, including co-production.
- Strong networking abilities.
- Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote a service.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programmes, including Outlook.
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Desirable:
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
- Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services Sector or Level 3 QCF in Advice & Guidance.
- Experience of delivering supported employment in accordance with SEQF.
- Understanding of Connect to Work programme requirements and grant guidance.
- Experience of delivering training.
- Personal lived experience of recovery.
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: 2026-10-02
Senior Employment Specialist employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both staff and service users. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to health equality, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in the vibrant city of Sheffield, this role as a Health & Wellbeing Nurse allows you to be part of a dedicated team focused on transforming lives and promoting mental health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employment Specialist
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Waythrough.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Waythrough.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Waythrough.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Waythrough. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employment Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Waythrough. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Senior Employment Specialist, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Waythrough. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
