Employment Support Specialist

Northumberland County Council; Blyth; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexi scheme

26 days annual leave (pro rata)

Job summary

Northumberland County Council is seeking an Employment Support Specialist to deliver Connect to Work programme support across Northumberland. The role applies IPS principles to help residents with health conditions and barriers into sustainable work, meeting clients in community and partner settings.

The post emphasises outreach, collaboration with NHS, DWP and partners, driving employment chances, and providing tailored in-work support while working across agencies and required driving and

Qualifications

• Experience in employability, community engagement, or health/social care.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Ability to work autonomously across agencies and manage complex referrals.
• Knowledge of local services and employment challenges is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small caseload, providing tailored, person-centred support aligned to the IPS Fidelity model.
• Deliver outreach services across Northumberland in community settings, employer sites, GP surgeries, and job centres.
• Engage with employers to secure suitable roles and provide in-work support.
• Collaborate with partners including NHS, DWP, housing providers, and voluntary sector organisations.
• Support residents through vocational profiling, action planning, and integration with wider support services to move them into good work.

Skills

Employability experience

Community engagement

Health / social care

Tools

IT skills

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Blyth Campus, Blyth Sports Centre

Employment Support Specialist - Connect to Work Programme

Northumberland Skills offers residents a variety of full and part-time courses, apprenticeships, and employability advice and support across Northumberland. We are looking to appoint motivated and community-focused Employment Support Specialist as part of Northumberland County Councils Employability Service. You will work on the on Connect to Work programme, part of the national Get Britain Working strategy. This role uses the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model to help residents with health conditions, disabilities, or complex barriers into meaningful employment.

Previous applicants need not apply

This is an outreach role, so you'll meet people where they are - including community partner settings, employer sites, GP surgeries, job centres etc. helping them into meaningful, lasting jobs.

You’ll work with employers to identify suitable roles for your people on your caseload and provide tailored in-work support that will include building confidence, guiding both the individual and employer through initial tasks, and advising on workplace adjustments during those crucial first weeks. We are looking for individuals who believe that if someone wants to work, they should be supported to do so and that with your help, it's absolutely possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a small caseload, providing tailored, person-centred support aligned to the IPS Fidelity model
• Deliver outreach services across Northumberland in community settings, employer sites, GP surgeries, and job centres.
• Engage with employers to secure suitable roles and provide in-work support.
• Collaborate with partners including NHS, DWP, housing providers, and voluntary sector organisations.
• Support residents through vocational profiling, action planning, and integration with wider support services to move them into good work
• Experience in employability, community engagement, or health/social care.
• Strong interpersonal, organisational, and IT skills.
• Ability to work autonomously across agencies and manage complex referrals.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Knowledge of local services and employment challenges is desirable.
• This is a unique opportunity to shape integrated employment and wellbeing support across Northumberland, making a real difference in people’s lives.
• While our team will have a base in Morpeth, this role will involve coverage across the county.

Why choose us?

We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)

Further information

Please note that this is a full time position but applications on a secondment or part-time basis would be considered for the right applicant.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.