Overview
This project is an inclusive supported employment programme supporting residents across Birmingham who face barriers to entering or sustaining work. The programme helps participants overcome challenges such as long-term unemployment, disability, or health conditions by providing tailored one-to-one support, training, and meaningful employer engagement.
The programme operates through two complementary models of support:- The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model – focused on people with mental health needs, integrating employment specialists within health and community services to provide rapid job search, placement, and in-work support.- The Supported Employment model aligned to the BASE Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) – focusing on people with disabilities, health conditions, or other complex barriers, following a structured five-stage approach: engagement, vocational profiling, job finding, employer engagement, and ongoing support.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Supported Employment Specialist will deliver high-quality, person-centred employment support in line with one of the two fidelity models. This role is focused on enabling people with disabilities, learning difficulties/disabilities, neuro-diverse conditions, poor mental health or individuals from a disadvantaged background to prepare for, secure, and sustain meaningful paid employment aligned with their goals, while promoting inclusion, independence, and long-term wellbeing.
The role combines one-to-one support, employer engagement, and collaboration with multidisciplinary mental health teams and community organisations.
Key Tasks / Responsibilities
· Deliver the appropriate SEQF or IPS models of supported employment — applying the five SEQF stages (engagement, vocational profiling, job finding, employer engagement, and ongoing support) and the eight IPS principles of rapid job search, personalised in-work support, and integrated collaboration with health and community partners to help participants achieve and sustain competitive employment.
· Work with individuals to identify aspirations, skills, and barriers to employment, developing personalised vocational profiles and action plans.
· Provide systematic job coaching, workplace training, and skills development to promote independence and job retention.
· Consistently model positive workplace behaviours and encourage individuals to meet agreed expectations.
· Negotiate reasonable adjustments and develop return-to-work or job-carving strategies.
· Promote inclusive employment and mental health awareness.
· Build strong partnerships with employers, negotiate to create suitable work opportunities that meet both business needs and individual goals.
· Support employers to understand, adapt, and embed inclusive practices that benefit both the individual and workplace.
· Maintain accurate and timely documentation of jobseeker’s progress, outcomes, and employer engagement in line with the fidelity models.
· Ensure all work placements and employment opportunities meet safeguarding and Health & Safety standards.
· Travel across Birmingham and surrounding areas to provide in-work and community-based support.
· Contribute to Connect to Work impact measurement by collecting destination data and evidencing outcomes.
· Promote and uphold safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion always.
Person Specification – Employment Specialist
Qualifications
- GCSE Math’s & English at Grade C/4 or equivalent (Essential)
- Qualification in supported employment/job coaching (Desirable)
- Degree or equivalent qualification in employability, psychology, or health/social care (Desirable)
- Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services or IAG Level 3 (Desirable)
Experience
- Experience with learning disabilities/autism/mental health (Essential)
- Experience in employability or careers work (Essential)
- Employer engagement experience (Essential)
- Proven record of meeting targets and achieving positive outcomes (Essential)
Knowledge & Skills
- Knowledge of supported employment principles and employer engagement techniques (Essential)
- Excellent communication, motivational interviewing, and interpersonal skills (Essential)
- Knowledge of SEQF / IPS fidelity models (Desirable)
- Understanding of welfare benefits and employment legislation (Desirable)
- IT literacy (Word, Excel, CRM systems) (Essential)
Personal Attributes
- Strong communication & interpersonal skills
- Adaptable, person-centered approach
- Ability to travel across the city and work flexibly
Core Behaviours
· Impact-Driven: Focused on outcomes that transform lives.
· Resilient: Maintains persistence and optimism in the face of challenges.
· Ethical & Inclusive: Champions equality, diversity, and respect.
· Solution-Focused: Uses initiative to overcome barriers and adapt approaches.
· Accountable: Delivers on commitments with professionalism and integrity.
· Highly motivated and self-driven.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: £30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Experience:
- employability: 2 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
