Job overview

Havering Works is an internal team, grant funded to provide employment support to residents who face barriers to secure and remain in work. The positions within the team are fixed term for the duration of the grant, initially 2 years but with the possible extension to 3 years. The Team Leader will oversee and provide case load supervision for 4 Employment Specialists working directly with residents. The Connect to Work (CtW) programme must deliver to externally assessed quality standards – Individual Placement Support and the Supported Employment Quality Framework. The successful person will have a good understanding of employment support programmes and experience in the supervision of staff. CtW requires close monitoring of client support, excellent record keeping and attention to detail, so these will be key attributes and skills for the appointee.

Role

The successful person will have:-

  • Strong Leadership & Coaching Skills.
  • Ability to support and develop Employment Specialists.
  • Experience in reflective supervision and performance management.
  • Confidence in giving feedback and fostering a culture of learning and development.
  • Problem solving.
  • Understanding of IPS Principles.
  • Commitment to person-centred practice.
  • Ability to uphold the IPS model and embedding IPS standards while adapting to Connect to Work and the individual borough context.

    • If possible – Understanding of fidelity reviews and how to prepare for these and the fidelity assurance processes.

  • Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Skilled at building relationships with clinical teams, JCP, and other partners.
  • Able to advocate for IPS and navigate systems to support integration.
  • Resilience & Adaptability
  • Able to manage competing priorities and support staff through challenges.
  • Experience working in complex systems (e.g., health, employment, social care).
  • Training on fidelity – IPS and SEQF will be available.

Responsibilities

  • To line manage staff to deliver on the Connect to Work (CtW) programme against the IPS (Individual Placement Support) and SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) standards and frameworks.
  • To provide case supervision, guidance and oversight to the Employment Specialists Supervise and assess staff across their various integration hubs, carry out in-person observations and provide the relevant levels of support and feedback to encourage and assist with staff

    • development.

  • To carry out regular adviser and participant observations and assessments including Quality Assurance of paperwork and documents in line with funding requirements
  • Advising, supporting staff with sifting clients to match appropriate jobs and training opportunities
  • Monitor the records of project clients, progress and actions and initiate cross departmental and project-based case review meetings monthly
  • To proactively work with heath partners, attending case conferences, supervisory meetings to support joint working so that ‘CtW’ participant’s health and well-being is considered alongside their journey to work.
  • To support the delivery of the employment and skills brokerage across council departments and external support agencies to provide a joined-up skills and employment service.

The person

Qualifications

  • A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject is desirable
  • IAG qualified preferred but must be prepared to achieve IAG Level 2 and work towards Level 3 when in role.

    • Experience

  • Experience of supporting long-term unemployed residents into sustainable employment, supporting individuals with multiple and complex barriers, combined with previous experience of working in a target driven, account management or business development environment.
  • Experience of helping individuals with barriers to improve their employment and job search skills is required.
  • A track record of successfully engaging clients in a diverse community is also needed
  • Experience of working in recruitment or in the Welfare to Work sector and a solid understanding of the local labour market and the ability to develop business
  • Experience of providing advice and support to clients seeking work or training
  • Experience of employer engagement and recruitment from initial contact to securing vacancies and successfully job matching and placing clients.
  • Experience of supporting a client group with multiple barriers, health disparities and those furthest away from the labour market.
  • Experience of work in partnership with a range of stakeholders
  • Experience of general and financial administration

    • Skills and Attributes

  • Communication & Partnerships
  • Able to work with varied client group taking responsibility for advising, supporting and sifting clients to match appropriate jobs and training opportunities
  • Work in an integrated way with health and community partners cohesively, including co-location and collaboration.
  • Initiate, develop and maintain positive relationships with partners including, public, private, voluntary organisations and the community
  • Work proactively with appropriate partners to develop skills & employment events including Job Fairs and recruitment activities
  • Employment support skills
  • Information, advice and coaching skills
  • Records management skills – able to use a CRM / follow documented processes to record progress and actions and initiate cross departmental and project-based case review meetings.
  • Engage, recruit, assess, signpost and track potential applicants on the Project.
  • Offer ongoing guidance, information, advice and coaching to project participants
  • Maintain stringent records of project clients, progress and actions and initiate cross departmental and project-based case review meetings monthly
  • Record and maintain all evidence required by funders
  • Initiate and develop employer links and bespoke employer engagement
  • Support employers with creating or carving roles specifically to the need of a client and providing in-work support