Post No. POSN005104 - Employment Specialist
Connect to Work - A different kind of role. A different level of impact.
Newport City Council is recruiting Employment Specialists to join our innovative Connect to Work programme - a service designed to support individuals facing some of the most complex barriers to employment.
You’ll work with individuals experiencing multiple and often interconnected barriers, including mental and physical health conditions (diagnosed or untreated), trauma, homelessness, or social exclusion. Success in this role requires resilience, empathy, and a commitment to intensive, person-centred support.
Unlike traditional employment programmes, Connect to Work is built on the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) models.
We are looking for individuals who can bring:
Extensive experience supporting people with multiple barriers to employment- Strong understanding of how health conditions impact employability
- Confidence working with individuals who may be in crisis or not currently engaged with services
- A commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and strengths-based practice
- The ability to build trust and work effectively within a multi-disciplinary environment
- Resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence
What you’ll be doing:
In this role, you’ll deliver intensive, hands-on support that goes far beyond traditional employability provision. Your responsibilities will include:
Managing a caseload of individuals with multiple and complex barriers, including mental and physical health conditions, trauma, and social exclusion.- Building trusted, long-term relationships and acting as a consistent advocate throughout each participant’s journey.
- Delivering vocational profiling and co-producing personalised, strengths-based action plans.
- Supporting individuals to prepare for, access, and sustain employment.
- Working closely with health professionals, housing services, and specialist support agencies as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Identifying employers, building strong sustainable relationships and sourcing appropriate job opportunities aligned to each participant’s goals and capabilities.
- Maintaining accurate records and delivering robust reporting in line with SEQF/IPS fidelity requirements and DWP expectations.
- Contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, quality assurance, and high-performance delivery.
What You’ll Gain
The opportunity to work in a high-impact, innovative programme- A role that genuinely changes lives and communities
- Ongoing professional development and full training
- A supportive team environment working towards shared goals
Important Information
37 hours per week with flexible working expectations- Community-based role – not primarily office-based
- Occasional evening and weekend work required
- DBS check required
- Travel across Newport required (access to reliable transport essential)
If you’re looking for a role where you can make a real difference -and you have the experience, resilience, and passion to support those furthest from the labour market -we’d love to hear from you.
We welcome applications for all our jobs in either Welsh or English. An application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Newport City Council is committed to working towards its workforce being more representative of the population that we serve and particularly welcomes applications from people from minority ethnic communities represented (or living) in the city. Selection will be made on ability and skills to undertake the role.
Newport City Council is not currently supporting applicants with sponsorship for right to work. In applying for a vacancy, applicants should already have the right to work in the UK.
Our values – Fairness for all, Making a difference, Being responsible, Working together
Ein gwerthoedd – Tegwch i Bawb, Gwneud Gwahaniaeth, Bod yn Gyfrifol, Gweithio gyda'n gilydd
