Job Description

Location

Trafford, Salford, Bury , Wigan, Bolton

Company

Employment

Contract type

Permanent/ Full- time

Salary

Up to 29,500 per annum

Closing Date

02/06/2025

Ref No

4640





Do you understand the importance of work and the vital role it can play in the lives of those with health conditions or disabilities?



Do you take pride in what you do, and can you think creatively about how different organisations can work together to deliver a better service?



Are you happy to talk with employers and help match people into meaningful work?



If this sounds like you, then you might be ideal for our new Employment Specialist role!

We have opportunities across Salford, Bury, Wigan, Bolton and Trafford. At present, all applications are treated as expressions of interest, with funding subject to the successful award of a contract.

The Growth Company's (GC) Individual Placement Support (IPS) team aims to increase the number of people moving into employment from specialist community health services.



You will work on a program that supports adults with a physical or mental health disability who are out of work, to find, and sustain, employment. You will deliver the IPS approach (for which training will be given), providing person-centered advice and guidance to clients, whilst building positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into suitable employment.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage a caseload of around 24 clients who are motivated to start/return to work. Working with participants to progress them on their journey towards employment by delivering the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach and overcoming their work, skills health, and personal circumstances barriers to ultimately support participants into sustainable work. Spend time getting to know local employers, to negotiate job opportunities that meet everyone's strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences. Develop effective working relationships with a range of external agencies that can help individuals to achieve their employment goals. This may include local colleges and training providers. Partake in continuous learning about disability and mental health conditions, their impact, and how they can be managed and undertake mandatory training as required. Meet and support clients to understand their key skills, aspirations, and goals by completing a Vocational Profile and producing an Action Plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment. This includes support with their job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques, and career development. Assess client support needs relating to work which may include benefits/welfare advice, disclosure of mental health symptoms, etc., and provide support & guidance. Source job opportunities for clients through tailored job searches and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden as well as advertised employment opportunities. Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy, and ongoing contact with the employer to ensure job retention.

About you:

Experience talking to employers and helping people into work. Great communication skills and the ability to build relationships with everyone from the frontline up to CEO level. Negotiation skills and commercial acumen. Drive, passion, and commitment. Proven ability to build rapport with people and especially understanding issues for people with barriers to employment. Strong written skills/verbal/ organisational skills.

Skills Required:

Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiating skills. Ability to work in a target-driven environment, with a focus on the successful achievement of job outcomes and sustained outcomes. High-level guidance skills, with the ability to deliver one-to-one and group sessions to at least Grade 2 standard. Previous experience working on outreach and lone working. Experience in guidance, advice & counselling environments. An understanding of working with disabled people, or a similar client group within health, social services, or the voluntary sector is desirable.
Safeguarding the welfare of all individuals, including vulnerable adults and young people is a core priority at GC, and we expect all staff to uphold this responsibility. All Education and Skills appointments are subject to Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check and a professional social media check, carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd) at no cost to the successful candidate.



Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List.



We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community.



If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.



We also aim to make our recruitment process inclusive and accessible. If you need reasonable adjustments or have any general enquiries at any stage or the recruitment process, please contact careers@growthco.uk or call us on 0161 237 4447.



Examples include:


Meeting the hiring manager or touring the venue in advance Extra time for tasks Interview questions shared beforehand Accessibility software or equipment for assessments
We're proud to support the Ban the Box campaign, which helps people with convictions access job opportunities. As part of this, we've removed questions about convictions from the initial application stage.



GC is committed to fostering a culture of flexibility and agile working. Many roles will increasingly support full agile arrangements. If you require more permanent flexibility, we encourage you to discuss this during your interview so your request can be considered early in the process.



All GC colleagues will work inline with the Health & Safety at work act and the GC Health & Safety Policy.