Date: 14 Jul 2026
Location: Taunton, GB, TA1 4DY
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Company: Somerset Council
Closing date: 30 July 2026
Salary: Grade 14, £25,185 - £25,989 per annum
Contract: Fixed-term contract until 31 March 2030
Location: Taunton/Yeovil
Hours: We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and can consider full-time, part-time, job share, or compressed hours.
Are you organised, compassionate and passionate about helping people achieve their goals?
Join our Connect to Work team and play a vital role in supporting Somerset residents to access the right employment support, overcome barriers, and move closer to sustainable work.
You don't need previous employment support experience to be successful in this role. We recognise that valuable skills can be gained in many different settings and welcome applications from people with transferable experience and a genuine commitment to helping others.
Role Summary
As an Employment Support Co-ordinator, you'll be the first point of contact for people joining the Connect to Work programme. Working closely with Employment Specialists, you'll help assess referrals, coordinate support, maintain accurate records, and ensure participants are connected to the services that best meet their needs. You'll play a key role in helping people navigate services, build confidence, overcome barriers, and take positive steps towards employment.
What you'll do – Key Responsibilities
Act as the first point of contact for programme participants, managing referrals and eligibility checks.
Build positive relationships with participants and help them access the right support, training and services.
Work alongside Employment Specialists to monitor participant progress and outcomes.
Maintain accurate records and update programme information using digital systems.
Liaise with partners, community organisations and service providers to improve access to support opportunities.
Support the delivery of workshops, drop-in sessions and other participant engagement activities.
Ensure participants are signposted to the most appropriate support where needed.
What we're looking for – Knowledge, Experience, Qualifications, and Skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with a wide range of people.
A caring, empathetic and person-centred approach when supporting individuals facing barriers or challenges.
Experience supporting customers, clients, service users, patients, students or members of the public.
Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records and meet deadlines.
Confidence using Microsoft Office and other digital systems to record and manage information.
The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, partners and external organisations.
A proactive, solution-focused approach and a commitment to helping people achieve positive outcomes.
Desirable:
A Level 2 or Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Advice and Guidance (or equivalent).
Knowledge of employment support services or supported employment approaches such as IPS or SEQF.
We know great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds. If you've developed strong people, communication and organisational skills in a customer-facing or support role, we'd love to hear from you.
About the Team
The Connect to Work team sits within Somerset Council’s Economic Development, Skills and Climate Service. By joining us, you’ll be part of an organisation dedicated to inclusion, community impact, and creating opportunities for local people. We work closely with employers, health services, training providers, and community partners across the county to support residents into work that improves lives, strengthens communities, and promotes economic inclusion. Together, we are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred support that makes a real difference.
Additional Information
25 days' annual leave (additional to bank holidays)
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
We are recruiting a number of Employment Support Co-ordinators across Somerset. As the role involves working within local communities and travelling throughout the county, we welcome applications from candidates based in different areas of Somerset.
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
Unfortunately, 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:
[email protected] 