Employment Support Specialist (IPS)

Northumberland County Council; North East; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in North East England is seeking an Employment Support Specialist for their Connect to Work Programme. This full-time role will involve outreach to assist residents facing barriers to employment. You'll manage a small caseload, coordinating with various agencies and employers. Applicants should have experience in employability and strong interpersonal skills. Benefits include 26 days annual leave, automatic enrolment into the pension scheme, and flexible leave options.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus public holidays

Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexi scheme – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month

Qualifications

• Experience in employability, community engagement or health/social care.
• Ability to work autonomously across agencies and manage complex referrals.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small caseload, providing tailored support aligned to the IPS Fidelity model.
• Deliver outreach services across Northumberland in community settings.
• Engage with employers to secure suitable roles and provide in-work support.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

IT skills

Job description

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 a motivated and community‑focused Employment Support Specialist as part of Northumberland County Councils Employability Service. You will work on the 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.

This is an outreach role, so you’ll meet people where they are – including community partner settings, employer sites, GP surgeries and job centres – 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.

This is a unique opportunity to shape integrated employment and wellbeing support across Northumberland, making a real difference in people’s lives.

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.

Essential Requirements

• 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 post is fixed term and is funded until January 2030.

Contact

For an informal discussion, please contact Rachel Druce: 07768671071 E: [e-mail]

Why choose us?

Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is ‘Land of Great Opportunities’, for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.

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.

For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.

Benefits and Perks

• 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).

To see all our excellent benefits and perks, please click here.

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Equal Opportunities Statement

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.

Alternative Application Format

• British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
• For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930