Employment Specialist - Connect To Work

Groundwork North East & Cumbria; North Shields; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Groundwork North East & Cumbria is recruiting an Employment Specialist to support people with health conditions to move into and sustain employment through the Connect to Work programme. You will work with individuals on a caseload of around 25, offering person-centred information, advice and guidance.

You’ll build strong relationships with employers and partners, including health services and Jobcentre Plus, to source opportunities and ensure joined-up support.

Qualifications

• Using IPS model to provide information, advice and guidance.
• Caseload of around 25 clients requiring personalised support.
• Ability to build strong relationships with employers and health partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred information, advice and guidance to a caseload of ~25 clients.
• Source suitable employment opportunities by engaging with employers.
• Work with health providers, JCP and other partners to deliver joined-up support.
• Manage caseload efficiently and meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy.

Skills

IPS model

Caseload mgmt

Employer relations

Communication

Job description

Do you want to make a real difference by supporting people to stay in work, and overcome challenges?

Job Title:

Employment Specialist – Connect To Work

Hours:

Full Time – 37 hours per week

Contract:

Fixed Term (Paid) - Fixed Term initially until March 2028

Location(s):

1x Newcastle and 1x North Tyneside

About us

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is a long‑established environmental and community charity with over 30 years of experience creating greener, healthier and more resilient places across the region. Our mission centres on Creating Better Places, Improving People’s Prospects, and Promoting Greener Living, helping communities thrive no matter the challenges they face.

We deliver hundreds of locally‑led projects each year, including initiatives that support young people into education, training and employment, helping them overcome barriers, build life skills, and reach their full potential.

About the role

We are looking for a passionate individual who will support individuals with health conditions to move into and sustain meaningful employment through the Connect to Work programme.

Job Purpose

Using the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model, you’ll provide person‑centred information, advice and guidance to a caseload of around 25 clients, helping them access, return to, and sustain employment that is right for them.

You’ll also build strong employer relationships to source suitable opportunities and work closely with partners, including health providers, mental health services, JCP and other employment organisations, to ensure clients receive joined‑up support.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Passionate in supporting young people to overcome barriers and achieve their potential.
• A strong communicator, confident engaging with clients, employers and partners.
• Equipped with strong analytical and problem‑solving ability, able to assess needs and identify effective employment solutions.
• Person‑centred, empathetic and passionate about helping others succeed.
• Skilled at building positive, trusting relationships.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage a varied caseload and meet deadlines.
• Confident working independently and collaboratively.

Closing Date:

Thursday 5th November 2026

Please note

should we receive a high volume of applications, we may look to close the role early, therefore we recommend an early application.

Interested?

This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure endorsed by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We want you to be yourself at Groundwork and we value everything that makes you unique. We recognise and celebrate your difference and together we make Groundwork a special and great place to work. As a Disability Confident employer we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role.

At Groundwork we ensure that we provide a safe environment for adults, children and young people to take part in any activity or service that we organise. We are committed to creating a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk.

Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and comprehensive process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all the people we appoint are suitable to work with our children, young people and adults.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.