Employment Specialist - Connect

Employment Specialist

Location:
Sunderland - this is a hybrid role with regular travel to sites across the Sunderland area.

This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week) commencing in December 2025 -
Subject to contract win

Job Purpose

The role of Employment Specialist is to deliver a programme, providing person-centred employment support to individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to work.

Using a Supported Employment model (IPS or SEQF), the role holder will enable participants to explore, gain, and sustain competitive paid employment. The role will involve partnership working with Jobcentre Plus, local employers, NHS and social care services, refugee organisations, and wider community stakeholders, to create pathways into work and deliver ongoing support to ensure job retention and sustainable outcomes

The post holder will be expected to work with a caseload of 20 – 25 individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to work defined as wishing to gain competitive (paid) employment. The post will involve working in more than one location, travel will be required, and it is therefore essential that the role holder can travel independently within the contract defined region.

It may be necessary on occasion for the post holder to work outside of standard office hours.

Person Specification:

Knowledge

Essential:

• A relevant Level 4 qualification (e.g., in Information, Advice and Guidance; Health and Social Care; Supported Employment) OR equivalent, substantial experience in a related field.
• A comprehensive understanding of the systemic and personal barriers faced by individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and refugee backgrounds in accessing and sustaining employment.
• Labour Market Intelligence:
  In-depth knowledge of the local and regional labour markets, including growth sectors, employer needs, and available training opportunities

Desirable:

• Understanding of Supported Employment either Individual Placement Support (IPS) principles and fidelity standards or Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF)
• Degree level qualification in a relevant field
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and responsibilities

Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience managing a caseload of individuals with complex needs and multiple barriers, guiding them to achieve sustainable employment outcomes
• Experience using coaching or motivational interviewing techniques
• Proven ability to engage and influence employers to create employment opportunities
• Experience working to and achieving outcome targets

Desirable:

• Previous Supported Employment experience or Supported Employment trained
• Sales, recruitment, or account management experience
• Direct or indirect experience of supporting those with disabilities, health conditions or complex barriers to employment

A full list of job objectives can be found in the job description.