Job overview

Northern Rights delivers Personal Development and Employment Support services to benefit disadvantaged people, particularly those with health problems in to work. We do this through impartial, up to date, qualified Matrix standard Information Advice and Guidance delivering numerous commissioned contracts/services.

An Employment Specialist within the Connect to Work programme delivers Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services, helping people with health conditions, disabilities, or complex barriers move into and sustain paid employment.

The role is person-centred, recovery-focused, and employment-led, with a strong emphasis on rapid job search and real work opportunities

Role

To deliver high-quality Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment support as part of the Connect to Work programme, enabling individuals with complex barriers (including health conditions, disabilities, or long-term unemployment) to secure and sustain paid employment. You will work in partnership with health professionals, local services, and employers to provide person-centred, recovery-focused employment support, following the IPS model and fidelity standards.

Responsibilities

Client Engagement & Support

  • Manage a caseload of participants referred through the Connect to Work programme.
  • Deliver one-to-one tailored employment support, helping clients identify goals and move into paid work.
  • Support individuals with barriers such as mental health conditions, physical disabilities, or long-term unemployment.
  • Develop personalised action plans focused on rapid job search and employment outcomes.
  • Provide in-work support for participants and employers to sustain employment.

    • Employer Engagement

  • Proactively engage local employers to identify job opportunities aligned to client aspirations.
  • Promote inclusive recruitment practices and advocate on behalf of clients.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with businesses across South Shields and surrounding areas.
  • Support employers with reasonable adjustments and ongoing workplace support.

    • Partnership Working

  • Work closely with health services (e.g. NHS, community mental health teams), local authorities, and voluntary sector partners.
  • Attend multi-disciplinary meetings to coordinate support for clients.
  • Ensure integration of employment support within wider wellbeing and recovery plans.

    • Compliance & Quality

  • Deliver the IPS model in line with fidelity standards.
  • Maintain accurate and timely records using case management systems.
  • Meet performance targets relating to job outcomes, engagement, and sustainment.
  • Ensure all work complies with safeguarding, data protection, and health & safety requirements.

    • Monitoring & Reporting

  • Track client progress and outcomes.
  • Provide regular reports to management on caseload performance.
  • Contribute to continuous service improvement.

Flexibility
The Job Description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main duties and responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role in conjunction with their line manager. The post holder may be asked to carry out any other delegated duty or task that is in line with their post. The post holder will receive an HR Letter detailing which contract they will be working on (which is subject to change).

Confidentiality
The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about participants, staff and other Northern Rights business. The work is of a confidential nature and information gained must not be communicated to other persons except in the recognised course of duty. The post holder must meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act with compliance against the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) at all times.

Health and Safety
Employees must comply with the provisions of ‘The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974’ and must take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts of omissions whilst at work. Employees are also required to co-operate with their employer to enable them to perform or comply with any statutory provisions. Northern Rights efforts to promote a safe and healthy working environment can only succeed with the full co-operation of its employees.

Equality & Diversity
Northern Rights has an Equality and Diversity Policy, and it is the responsibility of all staff to comply.

The person

  • Experience in giving one-to-one information, advice, and guidance.
  • Experience working with disadvantaged people and unemployed people, in particular, those with disabilities and health problems.
  • Experience relating to Welfare Benefits.
  • Experience of using Better off in Work calculation software.
  • Experience in helping people overcome barriers to progression, also employment issues faced by the participant group.
  • Experience of working to Team and/or Individual targets.
  • Experience and awareness of national and local services and available provision.
  • Excellent knowledge of the local area and its demographics.
  • Good understanding of the local labour market.

    • Skills:

  • Ability to seek out, develop and assess potential participants for the service.
  • Ability to encourage, persuade and motivate at all levels.
  • Empathy and belief in each individual participant, raising their self-efficacy.
  • Flexibility to cope with varying demands of the role.
  • Ability to problem solve and respond appropriately to a variety of situations.
  • Ability to manage and support a caseload of an average of 25 participants and achieve targets for progression.
  • Good interpersonal, communication, listening and presentation skills.
  • Excellent organisational skills.
  • Working knowledge of IT: Microsoft packages specifically Word Processing and Outlook (e-mails), Zoom / Teams, the Internet, and Client Relationship Management systems effectively.
  • A great team player.

    • Other requirements:

  • Willingness to travel inside the designated work area and outside for meetings, training etc. with possible overnight stays.
  • Positive attitude to disability and health problems.
  • Enhanced DBS

    • DESIRABLE CRITERIA

  • Experience in the Welfare to Work sector