Job overview

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk

Role

As a Senior Supported Employment Officer, you will manage and support a caseload of clients facing significant barriers to work. Your primary goal will be to assist them in securing and sustaining high-quality paid employment that aligns with their preferences.

To be successful in this role, you will need prior experience in supporting people to access employment. You will be adept at building positive relationships with local employers, as well as key stakeholders, to generate referrals and create meaningful employment opportunities. The postholder will also work closely with individuals at risk of losing their jobs to help them retain their role, whilst also providing support to employers. You will need to be skilled at stakeholder engagement to ensure a steady flow of referrals to the programme, building positive relationships with local employers and partner organisations to create meaningful employment opportunities.

You will be joining an experienced and well-resourced Employment, Skills and Adult Learning service, adept at delivering all aspects of supported employment. We are committed to your professional development and will provide comprehensive training on the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) and SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) models.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

Responsibilities

The post holder will have lead responsibility and accountability for the following:-

  • Caseload management, IAG (information, advice & guidance) & employability support
  • Actively marketing the service/undertaking outreach and participating in events to raise awareness of the programme and assist with recruiting local residents meeting the programme criteria who require support to find/maintain work.
  • Manage a caseload of around 20-25 eligible clients requiring support with accessing or maintaining employment.
  • Build knowledge of the local labour market.
  • Meet and support clients to understand their key skills, aspirations and agree goals through completing a vocational profile and producing an action plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment.
  • Assist clients with their job search, CV development, application forms, interview techniques and career development.
  • Assess clients’ support needs/barriers to work which may include skills gaps, benefits/welfare advice, and disclosure of health conditions and provide related one-to-one impartial advice and guidance (including guidance relating to reasonable adjustments).
  • Arrange regular meetings with clients to monitor and review progress pre and post-employment and provide person-centred support, coaching & mentoring.
  • Engage participants in personal development/positive activities including well-being opportunities or activities that build their confidence/enhance their skills (including referrals to in-house Adult Learning provision).
  • Coordinate/deliver group employability/wellbeing sessions where required.
  • Once a client has secured employment, conduct regular visits, effective monitoring and in-work support to clients and employers to help sustain employment.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.

The person

Qualifications and experience

  • Experience working on a frontline service with people with mental health, learning disabilities, autism or a similar client group facing labour market disadvantages (ideally providing employment support).
  • Experience in developing/maintaining partnerships and/or relationships with employers and understanding engagement activities within diverse communities.
  • Willingness to undertake and maintain all required CPD.
  • NVQ in advice & guidance or equivalent (desirable).
  • Proven experience in meeting/exceeding outcomes and targets.

    • Knowledge

  • An understanding of the barriers/challenges and needs of those living with mental/physical health conditions/learning disabilities/autism when applying for/accessing employment.
  • An awareness of the local labour market.
  • An understanding of Supported Employment Models/the IPS approach including reasonable adjustments.
  • An understanding of safeguarding and data protection regulations.

    • Skills and abilities

  • Good communication (oral and written), listening skills and an ability to mentor, motivate, coach and empower vulnerable clients.
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport and effective relationships with employers, external organisations and other programme stakeholders.
  • Ability to influence key stakeholders e.g. employers.
  • Ability to work with vulnerable clients and advocate on their behalf to access opportunities.
  • Team-oriented/able to work collaboratively within a mixed-disciplinary team.
  • Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks, solve problems, work within tight deadlines and meet targets.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Able to maintain confidentiality.
  • High levels of customer care.
  • Able to use IT packages like Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) or Microsoft Office.

    • Personal qualities

  • Proactive, non-judgemental, empathetic and can demonstrate creativity, initiative and resourcefulness.
  • Passion and drive to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.