Connect to Work Employment Specialist

About the job

Key information

We’re expanding! We are looking for passionate, motivated Employment Specialists to join our growing Connect to Work programme. With a number of vacancies available, this is your opportunity to help transform lives across Somerset.

Whether you’re supporting adults facing complex challenges, including health conditions, disabilities, drug and alcohol recovery, or young people taking their first steps into employment, you’ll play a vital role in helping people move into meaningful, sustainable work.

This is more than a job – it’s your chance to create lasting change.

What will I be doing?

As our Employment Specialist, you’ll deliver high-quality, person-centred employment support using proven approaches such as Individual Placement and Support (IPS) or the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF). With manageable caseloads (25 IPS / 20 SEQF), you’ll build trusted relationships and tailor support to each person’s goals, strengths, and aspirations.

Working in the heart of local communities, from Community Employment Hubs, partner venues, and outreach settings, no two days are the same.

What you’ll do – Key Responsibilities

• Supporting people facing complex barriers to employment, including physical and mental health conditions, disabilities, drug and alcohol recovery, and multiple disadvantage. You will work within local communities, delivering support from Community Employment Hubs, partner organisations’ premises, and a range of community venues.
• Working with young people and adults to help them achieve their employment goals.
• Creating personalised employment plans through vocational profiling.
• Providing hands-on support with job searching, CVs and applications, interview preparation, confidence building, and job matching, alongside engaging with employers.
• Offering advice on benefits, workplace adjustments, and disclosure
• Working collaboratively with employers, health professionals, and community partners.
• Supporting individuals not only into work, but to stay and succeed in work.
• Maintaining high-quality records and delivering against fidelity standards.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

You’ll bring compassion, resilience, and a genuine belief in people’s potential.

Essential

• Strong understanding of the barriers to employment faced by disadvantaged groups including those experiencing health conditions, disabilities, and multiple disadvantages, along with knowledge of relevant health and wellbeing services.
• Knowledge of employment support services, job search strategies, supported employment models (including IPS and SEQF), and the development of personalised employment pathways aligned to individual needs.
• Awareness of inclusive practices, safeguarding and data protection principles, government legislation and processes (including DWP), and opportunities available to support individuals into employment.
• Knowledge of service improvement planning and delivering high-quality, outcome-focused services.
• Experience of providing advice, guidance, or employment support to individuals, particularly those with complex needs, including health conditions or disabilities.
• Experience of employer engagement, partnership working, and operating effectively within multi-agency environments.
• Experience of supporting individuals in a way that promotes wellbeing, safety, and safeguarding, alongside maintaining accurate case records using digital systems.
• A relevant qualification in Advice and Guidance (Level 2–4 or equivalent), with a Level 4 Careers Information qualification (or willingness to work towards)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport, motivate others, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and apply sound decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
• A resilient, solution-focused approach, with empathy, tenacity, and the confidence to challenge appropriately to achieve the best outcomes for individuals.
• Competence in Microsoft Office and digital platforms, alongside a commitment to continuous professional development.

Desirable

• Proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets.
• Experience in policy development, workforce, and skills aspects of economic development.
• Level 6 Diploma in Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG)
• IPS Employment Specialist accreditation/training.
• SEQF Employment Specialist accreditation/training.
• Accreditation from a recognised economic development body.
• Evidence of continuous professional development in relevant areas.

Supporting documents and information

• Fixed-term contract until 31 March 2030.
• Full time (37 hours), part-time, or job share hours will be considered.
• 25 days’ annual leave (additional to Bank Holidays)
• Your primary work base will be your nearest Somerset Council office.
• Remote working may be available in line with organisational policies and service requirements.
• Ongoing training and development (including IPS / SEQF approaches)
• Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Kate Blowfield, Connect to Work Manager, via email: kate.blowfield@somerset.gov.uk

Interviews will take place in the weeks commencing 15 June and 22 June 2026.

A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.

Apply on the Somerset Council website