Job overview

Working for Health CIC is a specialist, end to end provider of employment support to people with mental health conditions and for those with multiple and complex barriers to work and learning. It provides support for the job seeker to find work and supports people in work to keep their job.
We aim to increase an individual’s hope and aspiration for work, to increase the number of people in work, and reduce stigma and discrimination

Our philosophy
Working for Health believes that:

  • everyone can work, if the work is right for them
  • everyone has skills and talents
  • everyone has the right to a second chance
  • hope will be the change agent

Working for Health is committed to ethical principles and practice, not only towards the customers we serve but also to our partner agencies, commissioners, employees, volunteers and our environment.
As a Community Interest Company all of our profits are reengineered into our community of interest: in our case this is the group of people whose working life is effected by mental ill health.

Role

Hours 22.5 hours per week
Payment £29,250 per annum pro rata
Annual leave 5 weeks pro rata, plus one day birthday leave
Location Covering East Riding of Yorkshire (community-based, outreach and office working from our Cottingham office)
Reporting to Lead for Service Delivery

The Employment Specialist will deliver high-quality employment support through the Connect to Work programme. The postholder will support individuals with health conditions, disabilities, complex barriers, or other disadvantages to improve skills and secure and sustain paid employment.

Working in accordance with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS), Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) models and Connect to Work principles, the post holder will support participants to identify vocational goals, secure competitive employment, and maintain employment through personalised and recovery-focused interventions.

The role involves close partnership working with health services, local authorities, employers, education providers, community organisations, and other stakeholders across Hull and East Riding.

Responsibilities

  • Manage a caseload of participants referred through the Connect to Work programme.
  • Assess to understand whether the IPS route or the SEQF route would be most appropriate approach for the individual.
  • Deliver person-centred employment support tailored to individual needs, aspirations, strengths and circumstances.
  • Support participants to identify employment goals and develop realistic action plans.
  • Complete vocational profiling and employability assessments.
  • Assist participants with CV development, job applications, interview preparation and job search activities.
  • Promote participant independence and confidence through coaching and motivational approaches.
  • Deliver services in accordance with IPS / SEQF fidelity principles and Connect to Work guidance.
  • Integrate employment support with health and wellbeing services where appropriate.
  • Maintain regular contact with participants and partner agencies.
  • Ensure employment goals remain central to all interventions

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a full list of responsibilities and duties.

The person

Essential Criteria

  • Experience supporting individuals facing barriers to employment.
  • Experience working with people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health needs or other complex barriers.
  • Experience providing one-to-one support, coaching, guidance or case management.
  • Experience of employer engagement, recruitment support or job brokerage.
  • Experience working in partnership with multiple agencies and stakeholders.
  • Excellent interpersonal, coaching, negotiation and communication skills.
  • Understanding of employment support programmes and the barriers faced by people with health conditions and disabilities.
  • Knowledge of safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion principles.
  • Ability to work independently, reliably and proactively to achieve outcomes.
  • Ability to travel throughout Hull and East Riding and work across community locations.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the essential and desirable criteria.