About ELITE Supported Employment
For more than 30 years, ELITE Supported Employment has delivered specialist supported employment services, helping disabled people and people facing complex barriers to work access, retain and progress in employment through personalised support, employer engagement and ongoing in-work assistance. Established with a clear focus on supported employment and inclusion, ELITE is now part of Fedcap UK, a not-for-profit organisation delivering employment, health, skills and social impact programmes across the UK.
About the Programme
Connect to Work is a voluntary Supported Employment programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and commissioned by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The programme supports people who are disabled, have long-term health conditions or face complex barriers to work, including people looking for work and people already in work who need support to retain their job.
Delivered through the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), Connect to Work follows a place, train and maintain model. This means support is built around the person and their employer, helping participants identify suitable work, move into paid employment and receive ongoing in-work support once a job has started.
About The Role – Lead a Team That Changes Lives
Salary: £36,555 to £40,170
Location: Liverpool, community-based delivery.
Hours: 37.5 hours
Travel: This is a community-based role, so candidates must be flexible and willing to travel across Liverpool to meet and support customers in a variety of locations.
Are you an inspiring leader who believes everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive through employment?
Subject to contract award, we're looking for a passionate and motivated Team Leader to lead a team delivering the Connect to Work programme. In this role, you'll combine strong leadership with hands-on delivery, empowering your team to provide exceptional, person-centred support while helping people with health conditions, disabilities and complex barriers move into sustainable employment.
This is an opportunity to shape a high-performing service that makes a real difference to individuals, employers and communities. You'll coach, develop and inspire your team while working alongside health partners, employers and community organisations to create opportunities that change lives.
What you'll be doing
As Team Leader, you'll oversee the day-to-day delivery of the service, ensuring quality, consistency and excellent outcomes for participants. Your role will include:
- Leading, coaching and supporting a team of Employment Specialists to deliver high-quality, person-centred services aligned with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
- Providing regular supervision, reflective practice and mentoring to support colleague wellbeing, professional development and performance.
- Monitoring caseloads, performance data and employment outcomes, using insight to drive continuous improvement and address challenges proactively.
- Supporting your team to engage employers, develop inclusive job opportunities and deliver tailored support that leads to sustainable employment.
- Coordinating delivery across a range of community locations and health settings, ensuring services remain accessible and responsive to local needs.
- Leading by example by managing a small caseload, demonstrating best practice and maintaining a strong understanding of frontline delivery.
- Building strong partnerships with employers to promote inclusive recruitment, workplace adjustments and job carving opportunities.
- Working collaboratively with NHS teams, Jobcentre Plus, local authorities and community organisations to strengthen referral pathways and integrated support.
- Overseeing safeguarding, quality assurance, compliance and data integrity to ensure excellent service standards.
- Identifying learning and development opportunities for your team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Using participant feedback and insight to shape service improvements and enhance the customer experience.
Promoting a positive team culture built on collaboration, accountability, innovation and psychological safety.
-
What we're looking for
We're looking for an engaging leader who can motivate others, build strong partnerships and inspire teams to achieve outstanding results. You'll bring:
- Experience supporting people with mental health conditions, disabilities or complex barriers to employment.
- Knowledge of the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) or other supported employment models.
- Previous experience supervising, managing or mentoring frontline teams.
- A proven track record of delivering high performance and achieving service outcomes.
- Excellent leadership, communication and coaching skills, with the ability to influence and develop others.
- A strong understanding of the barriers people face in accessing employment and the importance of inclusive recruitment practices.
- Experience building effective relationships with employers, health partners and community stakeholders.
- A commitment to safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to balance performance management with supportive leadership.
Flexibility to work across a range of community settings and travel throughout the city.
-
It would be great (but not essential) if you also have:
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Experience working within employment support services.
- Experience delivering or managing services within fidelity standards.
- Knowledge of occupational health, Access to Work or job development approaches.
- Experience working alongside NHS clinical teams, Primary Care Networks or social prescribing services.
Experience managing service quality, audits and compliance processes.
-
What else do we offer?
We’re a mission-led organisation with social value at our core. We’re a Disability Confident Leader and proud to reflect the communities we serve.
You’ll make a real impact: Every success story you help write will be felt in homes, workplaces, and communities across the city.
You’ll grow: With access to training, reflective practice, and a national network of likeminded colleagues.
You’ll be supported: We believe in teamwork, check-ins, manageable caseloads.
You’ll be part of something bigger: From mental health awareness to inclusive recruitment and sustainable employment, your work contributes to broader change.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated fairly, feels they belong, and can do their best work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and communities, and we value the different perspectives and lived experiences they bring. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Elite & Fedcap are Disability Confident Leader employers. We will consider reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and, where required, in the workplace. We will not exclude a candidate with a disability unless they are unable to carry out a duty that is intrinsic to the role, after reasonable adjustments have been considered.
We are positive about employing veterans, serving personnel, and spouses/partners and family members, as part of our commitment to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant .
As a Ban the Box employer, we assess applicants on their skills and potential. We do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and any relevant information is considered fairly and in line with the role.
If you need any adjustments to apply for this role or to take part in the recruitment process, please let us know. We’re committed to making our recruitment process fair, accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Additional benefits
Company pension. (3% matched)
20 – 25 days annual leave based on length of service, plus 8 bank holidays and 4 discretionary days.
Holiday buy and sell scheme.
A range of shopping and activity discounts and cashback options.
Accredited Level 3 Certificate in Supported Employment.
INDHP
