Employment Specialist – Connect to Work

Groundwork NE & Cumbria; Workington; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is seeking an Employment Specialist to deliver the Connect to Work programme across Cumbria. You will use the IPS model to provide person-centred IAG support to a caseload of around 25 clients, helping them move into and sustain employment.

You will build strong employer relationships, collaborate with health providers and partners, and support individuals with health conditions to access meaningful work.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting individuals to overcome barriers.
• Strong communication with clients and employers.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to assess needs.
• Empathetic and person-centred approach.
• Ability to manage varied caseloads and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred IAG to a caseload of around 25 clients using the IPS model.
• Build strong employer relationships to source suitable vacancies.
• Collaborate with health providers and partners to ensure joined-up support.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Caseload management

Problem solving

Independent working

Collaboration

Job description

Are you passionate about supporting individuals back into employment?

Job Title: Employment Specialist – Connect To Work

Salary: £28,951 - £32,316 per annum

Hours: Full Time – 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location(s): Roles across Cumbria, including Barrow in Furness, Workington & Carlisle

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

We’re looking for an Employment Specialist to support the delivery of our Connect to Work programme. You’ll use the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model to provide person‑centred IAG support to a caseload of around 25 clients, helping them move into and sustain meaningful employment.

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

About You

• 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: Friday, 7th September 2026

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.