As a Senior Employment Officer, you will lead the delivery of the Supported Internship programme, working in partnership with a college and a host employer.
Your primary focus will be securing work placements in line with the young person’s skills, qualities and aspirations through effective employer engagement, developing employability skills and securing paid employment outcomes for young people with learning disabilities / difficulties.
You will act as the supported employment specialist on site, building strong relationships with managers and teams across the host and wider employer network. You will identify, shape, and develop meaningful job roles, support employers with inclusive recruitment, and provide professional workplace support to ensure placements are successful and sustainable.
A key part of the role is achieving ambitious targets for the Supported Internship cohort. You will be responsible for driving progress toward these targets by developing high‑quality placements, monitoring student progress, and ensuring each rotation builds the skills and confidence needed for paid work.
Alongside this employer‑facing work, you will support a cohort of up to 15 students through three term time workplace rotations, working collaboratively with a college tutor, families, and external partners. You may also line‑manage Job Coaches within the Supported Employment Team.
This is a fast‑paced, commercially aware, community‑based role requiring resilience, initiative, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently across multiple sites.
Responsibilities:
Employer Engagement and Inclusive Recruitment (Primary Focus)
· Use a range of sales, marketing, and engagement skills to identify suitable placement and employment opportunities.
· Build strong, proactive relationships with key stakeholders and decision‑makers within the host employer and wider employer network.
· Promote Pure Innovations supported employment model to ensure employers understand how to successfully include and support a diverse workforce.
· Challenge traditional recruitment and selection methods by developing creative, person‑centred alternatives.
· Plan, coordinate, and deliver training to employers to build awareness of disability inclusion, workplace adjustments, and best practice.
· Provide ongoing support to employers, troubleshooting issues quickly and professionally to maintain positive relationships and sustain placements.
Project Management & Programme Leadership
- Plan and prioritise activities to meet departmental goals, contractual requirements, and employment outcome targets.
- Work collaboratively with the host employer, college tutor, and other partners to ensure high‑quality programme delivery.
- Attend meetings, conferences, and events to promote Pure Innovations and the Supported Internship model.
- Liaise with other Supported Internship sites to share best practice and evaluate service delivery.
· Plan and prioritise activities to meet departmental goals, contractual requirements, and employment outcome targets.
Project Caseload
· Complete initial visits, assessments, and one‑page profiles for each student.
· Use Pure Innovations’ assessment tools to evaluate skills and identify suitable placement matches.
· Create person‑centred vocational profiles and accessible resources tailored to individual needs (e.g., visual aids, task breakdowns).
· Meet regularly with families, schools, and college staff to review progress and address concerns.
· Support parents and carers with benefit changes related to paid employment.
· Ensure each rotation builds toward the goal of securing paid employment.
Quality Assurance & Administration
· Ensure accurate and timely completion of all documentation, including weekly reports, risk assessments, employer records, and student progress notes.
· Maintain GDPR compliance and uphold confidentiality at all times.
· Produce high‑quality reports, presentations, and statistical data for managers, contractors, and funders.
· Ensure effective lone working and remote working practices, including use of Outlook calendars and duty cover procedures.
· Deliver presentations and support team members to develop their presentation skills.
· Implement and monitor the Supported Internship Quality Assurance Framework (SIQAF) across the programme, ensuring all elements are completed to a high standard and used to drive continuous improvement.
· Contribute to SIQAF reviews, audits, and action planning, ensuring the programme meets or exceeds quality benchmarks set by Pure Innovations and external partners.
Teamwork & Line Management
· Act as a role model for best practice, supporting colleagues and sharing expertise in supported employment.
· Assist the Team Manager in chairing meetings, delivering training, and driving service improvements.
· Provide cover for the Team Manager and colleagues when required.
· Support the setup of new Supported Internship sites or transition projects.
· Line‑manage Employment Officers and Job Coaches, including:
- supervision and coaching
- performance management
- observations and quality checks
- induction and training
- setting objectives and completing appraisals
Pay: £29,274.00 per year
Benefits:
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring programme
- Referral programme
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience or knowledge of working with disadvantaged people or people with a disability? If yes, please provide an explanation.
Licence/Certification:
- UK Driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use? (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
