Employment Specialist – Connect to Work - 2 Posts

Carlisle Mencap; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Carlisle Mencap is seeking two Employment Specialists to empower people to gain meaningful work and community inclusion. Post 1 covers maternity leave with full-time hours, Post 2 is a fixed-term 22.5–37.5 hours. Salary is £28,500 per year for full-time work, pro rata for part-time.

You will support customers, families, and employers while upholding privacy and dignity. Based in Carlisle and Eden, the role requires person-centred planning, collaboration with carers, and a commitment to

Qualifications

• Excellent written and spoken communication.
• Strong organisation skills and ability to prioritise under pressure.
• Competent IT skills and ability to learn new systems.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Find meaningful work and volunteering opportunities in local communities.
• Identify goals and create clear action plans to achieve them.
• Support with career guidance, job searching, applications and interviews.
• Educate employers on supporting people with additional needs.
• Maintain records and ensure safeguarding policies are followed.

Skills

Excellent communication

Excellent organisation

IT skills

Time management

Driving licence

Education

GCSE English & Maths (minimum)

Degree desirable

Job description

Job Title: Employment Specialist - Two Posts

Hours: Post 1 - Maternity Leave Cover - Full Time 37.5 hours per week

Post 2 - Fixed Term until Match 2028 - Minimum 22.5 hours up to 37.5 hours

Salary: £28,500 per annum full time (pro rata for part time)

Responsible to: Service Manager

Location: Carlisle & Eden

Main Purpose of the Post

To provide services that support and enable people to achieve their own personal employment and community inclusion goals. You will give due regard to a customer’s absolute right to be in control of and ensure their privacy, dignity and respect and in the spirit of collaboration and partnership working with the customer and their support networks.

Main Tasks of Job

Customer Focus

• To find meaningful work and volunteering opportunities in their local communities
• Identify work related goals and aspirations and create clear action plans to help them achieve these
• Work towards clear personal outcomes and goals
• Liaise with carers and other professionals to help identify the customer’s goals and aspirations and find natural support in their community
• Support with career guidance, job searching, applications, interviews, in work support and ongoing career development
• To educate employers on how to support people with additional needs
• Help people learn how to travel to their place of work
• To understand different company policies and procedures
• Plan how to step down workplace support and increase their independence
• Understand how to get help with employment and work related benefits

• To complete vocational profiles, risk assessments, worksite analysis and other documentation to ensure a safe working environment
• To support employer and employee with on-going workplace issues
• Develop and increase employability, independence and social skills
• Help people play an integral role within and be part of their local communities.
• Advocate in work and community settings
• Take risks and be safe in accordance with their personal risk assessments.
• Receive and take part in services and support when they want and need it. This includes evenings and weekends.

Working Relationships

• Support and enable customers to review their Connect to Work documents in a timely manner and contribute to this process where appropriate and required.
• Support and enable customers and carers with job applications forms and signpost to specialist support if appropriate
• Work with employers and other stakeholders to identify opportunities and negotiate job carving if appropriate
• To promote the benefits of work for people with additional needs to customers, carers and employers and education providers
• To support all Carlisle Mencap services to embed opportunities in work, volunteering and independence in community amongst all our customers.
• Be able to represent the service at employment and community events
• Be familiar with employment and benefit legislation
• Link with local Jobcentres, employers and other stakeholders
• Communicate effectively and professionally with employers, customers, their families and support networks, health and social care professionals.
• Facilitate and have professional working relationships with customers, their families and support networks, health and social care professionals and agencies.

• Maintain regular suitable contact with customers parents, carers and support networks and ensure they are suitably and appropriately involved with the care and support of the customer or person for whom they have responsibility.
• Maintain regular contact with employers, education providers and other stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes,
• Work in collaboration with other Carlisle Mencap and Connect to Work staff to share and promote good practice, continuous improvement and equitable services across the county.

Safety and administration

Be proactive in identifying risks and acting accordingly.

Maintain clear and detailed records.

Work within and promote the Safeguarding policies of Carlisle Mencap and Cumberland County Council Adult Social Care.

Organisational Compliance

Participate in relevant training to update and enhance knowledge base.

Be willing to undertake Level 3 Certificate for Supported Employment Practitioners or equivalent

Adhere to all company policies and procedures.

Participate in regular supervision with your line manager.

Participate in staff meetings for the Service.

Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required. This may include transfer to another location or service.

Uphold the good reputation of Carlisle Mencap.

Always Maintain confidentiality (except for where there are safeguarding concerns).

Leadership

Through positive role modelling, you will encourage Carlisle Mencap team members to behave and communicate in a manner that aligns with Carlisle Mencap’s social care values.

Ensure there is positive, open and structured communication within your team.

Promote good team working.

Skills

Essential

Excellent written and spoken communication skills

Excellent organisation skills.

Ability to prioritise work in an environment that may have conflicting pressures and demands.

Competent IT skills, with evidence of ability to learn new computer systems

Time Management, making effective use of time and resources

Negotiating and sales aptitude with an ability to motivate others

Ability to understand and work within relevant legislation, particularly around disability and employment.

Results oriented with ability to maintain relationships with employers, education providers and external partners.

Person centred with aspirations for all people to achieve their potential

Flexible working to cover weekends and evening if appropriate

Full Driving Licence and access to a vehicle

Desirable

Familiar with local community.

Qualifications

Essential

Willingness to work towards relevant training and qualifications relevant to your job role.

Minimum 5 GCSE including English and Maths

Desirable

Degree or further education desirable but not essential

BASE NVQ in supported employment desirable

Experience

Essential

Awareness of Person-Centred Planning principles.

Previous experience of working with people with learning disabilities.

Desirable

Ability to manage in a variety of situations.

Worked with community organisations, education providers or employers to find opportunities or can demonstrate related skills

Knowledge of disability and employment issues

Attitude and Personal Attributes

Essential

An open and approachable attitude.

Proactive self-starter who can work with others in a multi-agency environment.

Ability to use initiative and be innovative. Finding solutions to problems and being resilient

Attention to detail and ability to work with minimum supervision

Base

Office base is Carlisle Mencap, Kingmoor Park North, Carlisle with regular attendance at the Carlisle Inspira office and client meetings

Closing date

Wednesday 14th October 2026 at 12 Noon