Job overview

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

Please note: This is a community-based position. Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and be able to travel independently throughout Surrey.
Please note that the starting salary for this role will be £30,093 per annum.

Role

Please note: This is a community-based position. Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and be able to travel independently throughout Surrey.

Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers and achieve meaningful employment? We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Employment Specialist to support individuals experiencing, or recovering from, mental health challenges to find and sustain paid employment.

Working within the community across Guildford and Leatherhead, you will empower people to build confidence, achieve their employment goals and support their recovery through the proven Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach. This is a rewarding role where you will work closely with local employers, healthcare professionals and partner organisations to create life-changing opportunities.

Responsibilities

Please note: This is a community-based position. Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and be able to travel independently throughout Surrey.
What You’ll Do

  • Provide one-to-one employment support to individuals with mental health needs.
  • Help clients identify career aspirations and develop personalised employment and recovery plans.
  • Deliver practical employability support, including CV writing, interview preparation and job search techniques.
  • Source suitable work placements and paid employment opportunities with local employers.
  • Support individuals to retain employment by providing ongoing guidance and workplace support.
  • Build and maintain positive relationships with employers, Mental Health teams and community partners.
  • Promote the service and develop new employer partnerships across the local area.
  • Advise employers on supporting mental health in the workplace.
  • Maintain accurate records, ensuring referrals, assessments and reviews are completed efficiently.
  • Travel throughout the community and work flexibly where required.

The person

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about making a positive difference in people’s lives and who thrives on building meaningful relationships.

You will have:

  • A good understanding of mental health and the barriers it can create to employment.
  • Excellent communication, listening and motivational skills.
  • Experience of providing advice, guidance or support to individuals.
  • Strong organisational and administrative skills with good attention to detail.
  • The ability to build effective relationships with employers, healthcare professionals and partner organisations.
  • A proactive, resilient and solution-focused approach.
  • The ability to manage a varied workload independently.
  • A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle to travel across the Surrey area.