Connect to Work | Employment Specialist

IPS Grow; Blackburn; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

EAP support programme

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Volunteer days

Eyecare vouchers

Cycle to Work scheme

Travel season ticket loan

Long service awards

Salary Finance

Job summary

Ingeus is hiring an Employment Specialist to support people across Blackburn with personalised employment assistance. The role focuses on strengths-based support, employer engagement and the Connect to Work programme, with a community-based remit and travel across the area.

Responsibilities include client assessment, partnership building with local organisations, managing a caseload and delivering disability awareness to employers to promote inclusive workplaces.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering employment services and welfare-to-work initiatives.
• Experience supporting individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
• Knowledge of IPS/ SEQF models and principles.
• Ability to engage with employers and community organisations.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on assessment and flexible support to help individuals secure sustainable employment.
• Build partnerships with local support organisations to provide seamless help.
• Manage a small caseload with tailored one-to-one employment support (resume writing, job-search strategies).
• Establish and maintain strong employer relationships to create job opportunities aligned with strengths.
• Deliver disability awareness to employers to foster inclusive workplaces.

Skills

Proactive mindset

Emotional intelligence

Employment services knowledge

Welfare-to-work knowledge

Networking

Community engagement

Education

Experience with IPS/ SEQF models

Experience supporting individuals with complex needs

Community outreach / stakeholder engagement background

Job description

Could you help people with disabilities and long-term health conditions discover their strengths, overcome barriers and move into meaningful employment? Join Ingeus as an Employment Specialist and support people across Blackburn to achieve sustainable employment outcomes through personalised support, employer engagement and the Connect to Work programme.

Deadline: 31st October 2026

• North West
• Full-time

Job overview

Ingeus is a leading human services provider helping people, business and communities thrive through employment, skills and health & wellbeing services. We are a trusted partner to government and industry delivering services that create positive social impact and transform lives.

Role

Job Description
Employment Specialist
Salary: £31,000 per annum
Location: Covering Blackburn (Community based role with regular travel around area)
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

As an Employment Specialist, you will champion a strengths-based approach to employment, prioritising an individual’s potential and working with employers to foster inclusive workplaces where everyone can succeed. This is a target driven role where your ability to engage, motivate and connect with potential employers will be vital!

Responsibilities

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Client Assessment: Taking a hands-on, proactive and flexible approach to support individuals with complex challenges to secure and retain sustainable employment.
• Build a supportive culture: Build strong partnerships with local support organisations and co-locating to provide seamless support, (local government, NHS integrated care systems, voluntary and community organisations).
• Managing a small caseload of motivated participants who have been out of work or never worked due to disability or long-term health conditions, providing comprehensive tailored one-to-one employment support (incl. Resume writing, job Search Strategies etc)
• Employer Engagement: Establishing and maintaining strong employer relationships to create job opportunities that align with individual strengths and aspirations.
• Innovate and inspire: Delivering disability awareness to employers, helping them create inclusive, supportive workplace

The person

What You’ll Bring

• A proactive mindset with the ability to adapt to change and think on your feet.
• Strong emotional intelligence, capable of handling sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism
• A solid understanding of employment services, welfare-to-work initiatives, and the challenges faced by individuals returning to work.
• Confidence in networking, relationship-building, and engaging with employers and community organisations.

Qualifications
Desirable but Not Essential:

• Knowledge and experience of the IPS/ SEQF models and principles
• Experience supporting individuals with complex needs, including disabilities or long-term health conditions.
• A background in community outreach, stakeholder engagement, or employment services.

Additional Information
At Ingeus, we’ve spent time listening to our employees to build our benefits package;

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to trade for additional leave.
• EAP Support programme available 24/7, including 6 free counselling sessions.
• Private medical insurance and life assurance.
• Up to 2 days of Community Giving (volunteering) each year to support a cause that matters to you.
• Eyecare vouchers to help with glasses or eye care.
• Cycle to Work scheme and travel season ticket loan.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Salary Finance offering financial education and advice.
• The opportunity to purchase extra benefits like critical illness cover and dental insurance.

We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and we’re committed to making our recruitment process as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you require any support or adjustments—whether that’s help with the application, interview format, or anything else we’re here to listen and work with you to find the best approach.

Please note, if we receive a high volume of applications, the role may be closed early.