Join Our Team as an Employment Specialist (Job Coach)

Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers to employment and achieve meaningful careers?

Would you like a role where you can make a real difference by empowering individuals to gain, retain and thrive in paid employment?

If so, we'd love to hear from you! United Response is looking for a dedicated Employment Specialist to join our Employment Team supporting people across the Liverpool City Region – Sefton.

LOCATION: Liverpool City Region – Sefton

ACCOUNTABLE FOR: Delivering high-quality, person-centred supported employment services

HOURS: 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

SALARY: £26,500 per annum plus Essential Car User Allowance

Who We Are

United Response is a registered charity, founded in 1973. Our mission is to ensure that people can live their lives to the full. Our vision is a society where everyone has equal access to the same rights and opportunities.

Every day we support around 2,000 people across more than 300 locations throughout England and Wales. Our Employment Team works with people with disabilities, learning disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, mental health needs, and those facing complex barriers to employment, helping them achieve sustainable, meaningful careers.

Our values underpin everything we do. We strive to be:

• Connected
• Empowered
• Driven
• Bold

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Employment Specialist who believes everyone deserves the opportunity to work and achieve their ambitions.

You'll enjoy building relationships, working within local communities, engaging with employers, and providing personalised support that helps people gain confidence, independence and long-term employment.

The ideal applicant will have:

• GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Strong organisational and IT skills
• The ability to think creatively and provide person-centred support
• Excellent self-management and organisational skills
• A flexible approach to working across community settings and employer locations
• A commitment to promoting equality, inclusion and safeguarding

Desirable experience includes:

• Experience of supported employment or job coaching
• Knowledge of the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF)
• Understanding of the barriers people with disabilities or mental health needs face when accessing employment
• Knowledge of relevant employment legislation and government initiatives
• Understanding of Supported Internships, Apprenticeships, Access to Work and other employment pathways

What to Expect

As an Employment Specialist, you will:

• Deliver high-quality supported employment using the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF)
• Support individuals through every stage of their employment journey, from engagement and vocational profiling through to job searching and ongoing in-work support
• Develop personalised vocational profiles and employment action plans
• Deliver rapid job search activities tailored to each individual's goals and aspirations
• Provide job coaching, workplace training and in-work support to help people sustain employment
• Build positive relationships with employers to create inclusive employment opportunities
• Negotiate reasonable workplace adjustments and support employers to develop inclusive working practices
• Work closely with community organisations, health professionals and local partners to generate referrals and deliver joined-up support
• Maintain accurate records and evidence outcomes in line with programme requirements
• Travel throughout Sefton and surrounding areas to provide community and workplace-based support
• Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion in everything you do

What We Can Offer You

United Response offers a comprehensive benefits package for all employees, including:

• Pension contribution
• Travel to work scheme (season ticket loan)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to free occupational health, physiotherapy, counselling and advice services
• Employee shopping discounts and eligibility for the Blue Light Card
• Access to an online shopping platform with discounts from over 3,500 retailers
• Fully paid training and access to nationally recognised qualifications
• 2x basic salary life assurance scheme
• Refer-a-friend bonus scheme
• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Opportunities for career development and progression
• Two Wellbeing Days each year because your wellbeing matters

United Response is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

Successful applicants in regulated activity will be subject to appropriate vetting procedures and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

United Response is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to the Mindful Employer values and are a Disability Confident employer, providing support to applicants with mental and/or physical disabilities.

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