Employment Specialist (Sunderland)

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT TRUST; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday + bank holidays (pro R

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Discounted gym memberships

Health care cash plan

Retail discounts

Cycle to work

Wellbeing app

CPD training portal

Job summary

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT TRUST in Sunderland is seeking an Employment Specialist to deliver a person-centred employment support programme for individuals facing health, disability and complex barriers to work. You will enable participants to explore, gain and sustain paid employment using Supported Employment approaches and collaborate with Jobcentre Plus, local employers and health/social care partners.

You will manage a caseload of 20–25 individuals, travel between Sunderland sites, and may work

Qualifications

• Caseload management experience with individuals who have complex barriers to work.
• Coaching or motivational interviewing techniques.
• Proven ability to engage and influence employers to create employment opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a person-centred employment support programme.
• Manage a caseload of 20–25 individuals.
• Work in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, local employers, NHS and social care services.

Skills

Caseload management

Coaching

Employer engagement

Outcome targets

Education

Level 4 qualification

Degree preferred

Job description

Employment Specialist - Connect to Work Sunderland

Location: Sunderland - this is a hybrid role with regular travel to sites across the Sunderland area.

This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week)

The role of Employment Specialist is to deliver aprogramme, 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.

Person Specification:

Knowledge

Essential:

• 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 opportunities

Desirable:

• 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 field
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and responsibilities

Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience managing a caseload of individuals with complex needs and multiple barriers, guiding them to achieve sustainable employment outcomes
• Experience using coaching or motivational interviewing techniques
• Proven ability to engage and influence employers to create employment opportunities
• Experience working to and achieving outcome targets

Desirable:

• Previous Supported Employment experience or Supported Employment trained
• Sales, recruitment, or account management experience
• Direct or indirect experience of supporting those with disabilities, health conditions or complex barriers to employment

A full list of job objectives can be found in the job description.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 1st November

(Please note, we reserve the right to close our vacancies early if sufficient applications are received).

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.

This role will require the successful candidate to go through an enhanced DBS check.

Salary & Benefits

£28,925.00per annum

Benefits include:

• 30 daysholidayplus 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.

We understand thatartificial intelligence (AI)tools(such as ChatGPT) can be helpful when applying for jobs – especially for those who require additional support during the recruitment process. However, while you may decide to use AI tools for ideas or pointers, we request that you do not rely heavily on them when answering questions. We are looking for responses that are personal to you, including details and examples of your abilities and work experience to date, and we consider copying and pasting AI-generated responses to be a misuse of AI tools. Likewise, we do not use AI-driven recruitment screening software, because we value authenticity and prefer to make personal connections with our candidates. If you have used AI to support your application – including in emails and responses to questions – please disclose this on your application form. If you would like clarification on how AI can be used in your application to EDT, please contact the Recruitment team via the EDT website.