Employment Specialist - Connect to Work

Job Title: Employment Specialist - Two Posts

Hours: Post 1 - Maternity Leave Cover - Full Time 37.5 hours per week

Post 2 - Fixed Term until Match 2028 - Minimum 22.5 hours up to 37.5 hours

Salary: £28,500 per annum full time (pro rata for part time)

Responsible to: Service Manager

Location: Carlisle & Eden

Main Purpose of the Post:

To provide services that support and enable people to achieve their own personal employment and community inclusion goals. You will give due regard to a customer’s absolute right to be in control of and ensure their privacy, dignity and respect and in the spirit of collaboration and partnership working with the customer and their support networks.

Main Tasks of Job:

Customer Focus

• To find meaningful work and volunteering opportunities in their local communities

• Identify work related goals and aspirations and create clear action plans to help them achieve these

• Work towards clear personal outcomes and goals

• Liaise with carers and other professionals to help identify the customer’s goals and aspirations and find natural support in their community

• Support with career guidance, job searching, applications, interviews, in work support and ongoing career development

• To educate employers on how to support people with additional needs

• Help people learn how to travel to their place of work

• To understand different company policies and procedures

• Plan how to step down workplace support and increase their independence

• Understand how to get help with employment and work related benefits

• To complete vocational profiles, risk assessments, worksite analysis and other documentation to ensure a safe working environment

• To support employer and employee with on-going workplace issues

• Develop and increase employability, independence and social skills

• Help people play an integral role within and be part of their local communities.

• Advocate in work and community settings

• Take risks and be safe in accordance with their personal risk assessments.

• Receive and take part in services and support when they want and need it. This includes evenings and weekends.

Working Relationships

• Support and enable customers to review their Connect to Work documents in a timely manner and contribute to this process where appropriate and required.

• Support and enable customers and carers with job applications forms and signpost to specialist support if appropriate

• Work with employers and other stakeholders to identify opportunities and negotiate job carving if appropriate

• To promote the benefits of work for people with additional needs to customers, carers and employers and education providers

• To support all Carlisle Mencap services to embed opportunities in work, volunteering and independence in community amongst all our customers.

• Be able to represent the service at employment and community events

• Be familiar with employment and benefit legislation

• Link with local Jobcentres, employers and other stakeholders

• Communicate effectively and professionally with employers, customers, their families and support networks, health and social care professionals.

• Facilitate and have professional working relationships with customers, their families and support networks, health and social care professionals and agencies.

• Maintain regular suitable contact with customers parents, carers and support networks and ensure they are suitably and appropriately involved with the care and support of the customer or person for whom they have responsibility.

• Maintain regular contact with employers, education providers and other stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes,

• Work in collaboration with other Carlisle Mencap and Connect to Work staff to share and promote good practice, continuous improvement and equitable services across the county.

Safety and administration:

Be proactive in identifying risks and acting accordingly.

Maintain clear and detailed records.

Work within and promote the Safeguarding policies of Carlisle Mencap and Cumberland County Council Adult Social Care.

Organisational Compliance:

Participate in relevant training to update and enhance knowledge base.

Be willing to undertake Level 3 Certificate for Supported Employment Practitioners or equivalent

Adhere to all company policies and procedures.

Participate in regular supervision with your line manager.

Participate in staff meetings for the Service.

Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required. This may include transfer to another location or service.

Uphold the good reputation of Carlisle Mencap.

Always Maintain confidentiality (except for where there are safeguarding concerns).

Leadership:

Through positive role modelling, you will encourage Carlisle Mencap team members to behave and communicate in a manner that aligns with Carlisle Mencap’s social care values.

Ensure there is positive, open and structured communication within your team.

Promote good team working.