Employability Coach

Hft View All; Wales; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Hft provides an Employability Coach role to support people with learning disabilities, helping them identify goals, build workplace skills and pursue paid work in their local communities.

This role involves personalised support, job coaching using TSI methods and close collaboration with families, employers and local partners to open meaningful opportunities. It is a fixed-term contract until September 2027.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualised support to people with a learning disability, including job coaching, building natural supports, identifying job accommodations, utilising assistive technology, supporting employment search and selection processes.
• Directly coach individuals as part of the job coaching plan, using Training in Systematic Instruction (TSI) methodology, to significantly increase job success capability.
• Carry out steps of the individual's employment plan with the participant and other parties as appropriate.
• Support participants to integrate into a job role by training them in all areas of support employability, such as travel training to the job site, communication with co-workers and managers, interview training, hygiene and grooming, workplace behaviours, and managing planned absence requests.
• Identify and implement strategies to support the participant to complete employability tasks long-term relevant to follow-on employment.
• Practice positive reinforcement techniques with the participant, co-workers and other colleagues and help facilitate disability equality training.
• Learn the business' culture and support the participant to integrate into that culture effectively.
• Work with families/carers, job placement specialists, agency personnel, and others to problem solve issues relating to employability.
• Communicate with the Work Options manager and host employer to resolve issues affecting success at work sites.
• Attend training at the host site and as provided by Hft.
• Participate in decision making processes to identify employability strategies with host business and other employers.
• Attend and actively participate in meetings to support ongoing employment plans.
• Record and report delivery information in line with local commissioner and the Work Options Manager.
• Ensure information is available to support applications for external funding to progress employment.
• Ensure risk assessments and emergency plans are in place and reviewed with host employer.
• Networking and employer engagement to maximise opportunities for employment.
• Comply with Hft and host employer policies and Health and Safety guidelines.
• Carry out other duties as required and be flexible to cover unexpected tasks.

Job description

As an Employability Coach, you'll work alongside the people we support to understand their ambitions, identify their strengths and help them overcome barriers to employment. You'll support individuals throughout their employment journey, from developing essential workplace skills and preparing for interviews to gaining experience with local employers and progressing towards paid work. Every person's journey will be different, so you'll take a personalised approach, adapting your support to help each individual achieve their goals while building their confidence and independence. You'll also develop positive relationships with local businesses, Jobcentres, third-sector organisations, local authorities and families to create opportunities and help people find the right employment for them. What will you be doing?

• Supporting people to achieve their ambitions: Work with individuals to identify their employment goals, make informed choices and take steps towards a job that reflects their interests and aspirations.
• Building skills and confidence: Help people develop the practical skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in the workplace.
• Creating real work opportunities: Build relationships with local employers and organisations to arrange work experience, work trials and opportunities to progress into paid employment.
• Providing tailored workplace support: Help individuals prepare for interviews, learn new tasks and settle into their roles, providing practical coaching and encouragement along the way.
• Promoting independence: Break down tasks into manageable steps and use a gradual approach to support, enabling individuals to complete their work as independently as possible.
• Working in partnership with employers: Understand the needs of local businesses, their working practices and the requirements of each role, helping to create successful and sustainable employment opportunities.
• Keeping people safe: Identify and manage potential risks, make appropriate workplace adjustments and ensure individuals understand relevant health and safety procedures.
• Championing dignity and choice: Provide respectful, person-centred support that empowers people to make decisions about their future and achieve their potential.

What makes this role so rewarding?

You’ll have the opportunity to see the difference that the right support, encouragement and opportunity can make. Whether you’re helping someone prepare for their first interview, master a new workplace task or secure a paid job, your contribution will help people move closer to a future they have chosen for themselves. At Hft, success means more than finding someone a job. It means helping people develop their independence, build confidence, feel valued and become active members of their communities.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about helping people achieve their potential and believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to work towards meaningful employment. You’ll be someone who can build positive relationships, communicate effectively with a range of people and adapt your approach to meet individual needs. You’ll be practical, patient and encouraging, with the ability to break tasks down, identify solutions and help people develop new skills. You’ll also be confident working with employers and other professionals to identify opportunities, overcome challenges and support positive outcomes. Most importantly, you’ll share our commitment to ensuring people with learning disabilities have the choice, support and opportunities they need to live the best life possible.

Responsible for

• Provide individualised support to people with a learning disability referred through to the team which includes job coaching, building natural supports, identifying job accommodations, utilising assistive technology, supporting employment search and selection processes etc
• Directly coach individuals as part of the job coaching plan, using Training in Systematic Instruction (TSI) methodology, to significantly increase job success capability so as to meet or exceed job expectations
• Carry out steps of the individual's employment plan with the participant and other parties as appropriate
• Support participants to integrate into a job role by training them in all areas of support employability, such as travel training to the job site, communication with co-workers and managers, interview training, achieving standards of hygiene and grooming, successful workplace behaviours, and managing planned absence requests
• Identify and implement strategies to support the participant to complete employability tasks in the longer term not just in the host site but relevant to any follow‑on employment and also support the participant to obtain the resources necessary to succeed in employment
• Practice positive reinforcement techniques with the participant, co‑workers and other colleagues and help facilitate disability equality training
• Learn the business' culture and support the participant to integrate into that culture effectively
• Work with families/carers, job placement specialists, agency personnel, and other appropriate parties to problem solve issues relating to employability where necessary and support all parties to implement an effective solution
• Communicate with the Work Options manager and host employer to make final decisions regarding any issues that may affect the participant's success at a worksite or competitive job site
• Attend training at the host site as appropriate as well as at that provided by Hft
• Participate in decision making processes to identify and implement employability strategies with the host business and other employers
• Attend and actively participate/present at regular meetings with participants to support their ongoing employment plans to develop their skills
• Record and report delivery information in line with the local commissioner and by the Work Options Manager
• Ensure that all information is available to support applications for external funding to support the participant's progress to employment
• Ensure risk assessments and emergency plans are in place and reviewed with the host employer as appropriate
• Networking and employer engagement activity with local and national employers to maximise opportunities for employment
• Comply with Hft and the host employer policies and practices where relevant
• Adhere to and maintain Hft's Health and Safety policies, standards and guidelines at all times
• Carry out a range of duties and undertake any other duties as specified from time to time in accordance with Hft business requirements
• It is the nature of the work that task responsibilities are in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All employees are therefore expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises in order that tasks which are not specifically covered in their job description are covered English and Maths at GCSE level 5 or equivalent.
• Full driving license, car for work purposes Help people discover their potential, build confidence and take their next step into paid employment.
• At Hft, our vision is to create a future where learning disabled people can live the best life possible. We work together to campaign for positive change, provide personalised support and create opportunities for people to live more independently and achieve their aspirations. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to develop their skills, explore their interests and experience the fulfilment that comes from meaningful employment. As an Employability Coach, you'll play a vital role in making this happen. Working as part of our Supported Employment team, you'll support people with learning disabilities to develop workplace skills, gain valuable experience and work towards securing long-term, paid employment within their local communities. This role is a fixed term contract until September 2027