Employment Specialist (Connect to Work)
Education Development Trust
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Education Development Trust is seeking an Employment Specialist to deliver a person-centred employment support programme for individuals with health conditions and disabilities who face complex barriers to work. The role uses a Supported Employment model to help participants explore, gain, and sustain competitive paid employment.
You will work with partners such as Jobcentre Plus, local employers, NHS and social care providers to create pathways into work and provide ongoing support for job
Qualifications
- Caseload management experience with individuals facing complex barriers to work.
- Coaching techniques and motivational interviewing experience.
- Knowledge of IPS or SEQF beneficial.
- Willingness to travel within the defined region and work across multiple sites.
Responsibilities
- Provide person-centred employment support to individuals with health conditions, disabilities and barriers to work.
- Collaborate with Jobcentre Plus, employers, NHS and social care to create employment pathways.
- Travel within contract region; occasional after-hours work may be required.
Skills
Education
Job description
Location: Sunderland - this is a hybrid role with regular travel to sites across Newcastle area
This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week)
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.
Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Salary & Benefits
£28,925.00 per annum
Benefits include:
2 days of paid volunteering per year (pro rota)
Life Assurance
Discounted gym memberships
Cycle to work scheme.
Access to training portal to help support your own CPD
Edt is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults whom we work with and come into contact with around the world. All applicants are subject to thorough screening and successful candidates are subject to the relevant level of criminal record checks with national police authorities or the UK’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This will be at minimum a basic DBS check.
Edt is a proud Disability Confident Leader. We take practical steps to ensure that disability inclusion is not only part of our values but part of our everyday actions. We are committed to creating a working environment where disabled employees are supported, valued, and empowered to thrive in their role. If you are disabled or require specific adjustments during the application process, please do let us know how we can support you.
Company: Education Development Trust
Salary: £28,925 to £28,925 a year
Hours: Full-time
Location: Sunderland, NE1 1JF
Working pattern: Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type: Permanent
Posting date: 30 Oct 2026
Closing date: 29 Nov 2026
Employment Specialist
Location: Sunderland - this is a hybrid role with regular travel to sites across Newcastle area
This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week)
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.
Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Salary & Benefits
£28,925.00 per annum
Benefits include:
30 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rota)
2 days of paid volunteering per year (pro rota)
Matched Pension Scheme
Life Assurance
Discounted gym memberships
Health care cash plan
Retail discounts
Cycle to work scheme.
Wellbeing App
Access to training portal to help support your own CPD
Edt is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults whom we work with and come into contact with around the world. All applicants are subject to thorough screening and successful candidates are subject to the relevant level of criminal record checks with national police authorities or the UK’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This will be at minimum a basic DBS check.
Edt is a proud Disability Confident Leader. We take practical steps to ensure that disability inclusion is not only part of our values but part of our everyday actions. We are committed to creating a working environment where disabled employees are supported, valued, and empowered to thrive in their role. If you are disabled or require specific adjustments during the application process, please do let us know how we can support you.
Person Specification:KnowledgeEssential: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 opportunitiesDesirable: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 fieldKnowledge of safeguarding frameworks and responsibilitiesExperienceEssential:Demonstrable experience managing a caseload of individuals with complex needs and multiple barriers, guiding them to achieve sustainable employment outcomesExperience using coaching or motivational interviewing techniquesProven ability to engage and influence employers to create employment opportunitiesExperience working to and achieving outcome targetsDesirable:Previous Supported Employment experience or Supported Employment trainedSales, recruitment, or account management experienceDirect or indirect experience of supporting those with disabilities, health conditions or complex barriers to employmentA full list of job objectives can be found in the job description.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
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