Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist – Connect to Work

We are seeking motivated Employment Specialists to support delivery of Connect to Work, a new countywide employment support service based on the IPS model.

The role involves providing tailored 1:1 support to adults facing barriers to employment, including vocational profiling, career planning, job matching and in‑work support, to help participants secure and sustain work.

Fixed term until July 2028

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday with local travel required

Job responsibilities

Alongside these main duties you will be expected to carry out any other duties that are reasonably requested of you:

• Work with the Head of Communities, Operational Support Officer and Senior Employment Specialist to continually develop resources and the toolkit for the team.
• Provide 1:1 employment support to adults facing significant barriers to sustainable employment.
• Deliver tailored support in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) principles.
• Produce action plans with SMART targets for each participant to help them gain and sustain paid employment.
• Support participants with their job search, CV and application production, interview techniques and career development.
• Offer specialist knowledge on provision and support available to adults with significant barriers (including but not limited to physical and mental health issues, neuro‑diversity, drug and alcohol use and learning disabilities).
• Build and maintain positive employer relationships to enable participants to move into suitable employment that aligns with their aspirations and support them to remain in work.
• Identify the specific recruitment needs of employers and undertake pre‑screens and group assessments.
• Co‑produce effective in‑work support plans with participants and employers based on assessment of need, providing practical support to ensure a smooth transition into work.
• Manage and progress a caseload of people, supporting them towards sustainable paid employment.
• Manage and maintain a caseload of people who are at risk of dropping out of work due to disability, health condition or other complex barriers.
• Develop strong partnerships with referral agencies, local employers and specialist support agencies.
• Provide in‑work support and job coaching to help participants succeed and remain in employment.
• Use assessment and vocational profiling tools to help identify aspirations and plan future pathways.
• Work in partnership with health services, education providers, and community organisations to deliver tailored interventions providing support to address specific issues (e.g. debt advice, substance misuse).
• Maintain awareness of the local labour market, industries, and roles, as well as wider employment opportunities.
• Keep accurate records to evidence assessment processes, progress, and outcomes, supporting effective monitoring and evaluation.
• Update the CRM system with all activities to meet compliance requirements, record evidence for relevant fidelity scales, track performance and report against targets.
• Deliver presentations, sessions, and workshops on employment, education, and skills.
• Educate and support employers, including negotiating workplace adjustments, developing a return‑to‑work strategy and ensuring job retention with ongoing contact and support.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleges, training providers, DWP, Council departments, WorkWell Coaches, community and voluntary sector partners to provide joined‑up services.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with wider clinical teams as appropriate, promoting the IPS model as a positive step in the recovery journey.
• Stay up to date with changes in legislation and government programmes relating to employment, education, and training.
• Work from local community and outreach locations and alongside other services to increase service accessibility.
• Work flexible hours as required to meet the needs of the service.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities & Other Requirements

• Fair and impartial approach
• Empathy
• Confidence
• Logical thinking & Solution focused
• Committed to equal opportunities
• Shows initiative
• Committed to providing a high‑quality service
• Willing to work flexibly and be adaptable to meet the needs of the role, including any necessary travel within the operational delivery areas
• Willingness to undertake further training

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths at Grade C or above (essential)
• Award in Employability and IPS Integration or willingness to work towards (essential)
• Level 4 professional qualification or degree in relevant subject area (desirable).

Skills / Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Ability to initiate and develop rapport with participants and build relationships with employers and stakeholders.
• Ability to motivate, inspire and influence individuals, whilst also having the confidence to appropriately challenge in relation to behaviours and attitudes towards gaining employment.
• Ability to manage a caseload, taking actions to ensure individual and service targets and deadlines are met.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to complete paperwork (electronic & paper based) accurately and timely to ensure the quality and compliance requirements of the contract.
• Ability to demonstrate understanding and empathy while maintaining professional boundaries.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Confident IT skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.
• High level of initiative and motivation with the ability to seek out solutions to problems.
• Ability to be accountable for own professional development and to undertake necessary training as identified through supervisions and annual performance reviews.

Experience

• Experience of providing employment advice and support
• Working with individuals facing barriers to employment including, but not limited to ex‑offenders, those with substance addictions, refugees, care‑experienced, those with disabilities and learning disabilities and those with health conditions.
• Working with people on a one‑to‑one basis, offering motivation and support.
• Working individually and with groups of young people or adults providing high quality information and advice or personnel developments activities.
• Partnership working and effective networking skills.
• Delivering services to meet contractual and quality standards.
• Experience working with people with mental ill health and long‑term conditions.

Knowledge

• The Equality Act 2010 and implementation of reasonable adjustments into the workplace.
• A good working knowledge of the local labour market in the specified geographical locations.
• Knowledge of VCFE organisations and local employers.
• Understanding of the barriers faced by individuals who are struggling to remain in employment or return to work following a period of ill health.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection.
• IPS Fidelity (must have the desire to train in knowledge of this area).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Cumbria Health

Cumbria Health Values

• Clinically focused – Everything every one of us does is for the patient
• Responsive – We listen, and we respond quickly in a patient focussed way
• One Team – We work together to provide a high‑quality service which is organised and consistent, and in partnership with both the local Acute and Community Trusts
• High Standards – We provide skilled professionals working to the highest standards who are passionate about improving patient care
• Growth & Sustainability – With our strong roots we will continue to thrive and grow
• Communities – Connecting and engaging to meet local needs

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