Job overview

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is a long established environmental and community charity with over 30 years of experience creating greener, healthier and more resilient places across the region. Our mission centres on Creating Better Places, Improving People’s Prospects, and Promoting Greener Living, helping communities thrive no matter the challenges they face.

We deliver hundreds of locally led projects each year, including initiatives that support young people into education, training and employment, helping them overcome barriers, build life skills, and reach their full potential.

Role

The Programme Quality Coordinator will oversee quality assurance, compliance, and fidelity for the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) model within the Connect to Work programme. This role ensures that delivery partners achieve high-fidelity IPS standards, driving sustainable employment outcomes for participants facing complex barriers. The post holder will coordinate on fidelity reviews, continuous improvement, and integration with health and community services, embedding IPS principles across the programme.

Responsibilities

Key Area: Fidelity & quality Assurance

  • Implement IPS fidelity reviews using the Connect to Work fidelity scale.
  • Monitor caseload sizes and ensure compliance with IPS standards.
  • Develop and maintain quality improvement plans.
  • Ensure zero error rate in audits and compliance with funder requirements.

    • Key Area: Programme Integration

  • Forge strong relationships with primary care and community health services.
  • Ensure IPS is embedded within integrated teams as a recovery-focused approach.
  • Support co-location and multidisciplinary team participation.

    • Key Area: Performance Management

  • Track and report on KPIs including job starts, retention and satisfaction.
  • Conduct caseload reviews and support Employment Specialists.
  • Ensure rapid job search and individualised job matching.

    • Key Area: Governance & Leadership

  • Engage stakeholders in IPS governance and sustainability planning.
  • Lead steering committees and contribute to strategic decisions.
  • Champion IPS principles across partner organisations.

    • Key Area: Participant-Centred Practice

  • Uphold zero-exclusion principles for eligible participants.
  • Ensure timely vocational profiling and job search planning.
  • Oversee benefits counselling and in-work support.

    • Key Area: Compliance & Reporting

  • Maintain accurate audit records and meet funder requirements.
  • Ensure GDPR compliance and safeguarding standards.
  • Prepare monthly and quarterly performance reports.

    • Additional Requirements:

  • Comply with all organisational policy, procedures and systems.
  • Be aware of and assume the appropriate level of responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults; and to report any concerns in accordance with the organisation’s safeguarding policies
  • Ability to work outside normal office hours.
  • Any other duties commensurate with the level of the post.

The person

We are seeking a motivated professional who can uphold high standards of quality and collaboration across a complex programme environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

  • Strong understanding of quality assurance and programme standards.
  • Ability to build effective relationships with health and community partners.
  • Confident in analysing performance data and supporting improvement.
  • Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Committed to participant‑centred practice and safeguarding standards.