Skills Support Officer

About NOW Group

NOW Group is an award-winning social enterprise operating across Belfast and Dublin. We are committed to working with individuals and businesses to unlock potential and create meaningful, lasting change across the island of Ireland.

Our work focuses on supporting people who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have a learning disability, helping them to build skills and progress into sustainable, future-focused employment. Through tailored training programmes, inclusive job opportunities, and community-based support, we empower individuals to achieve their goals and thrive in the workplace.

As a Skills Support Officer within the Skills for Life and Work team, you will provide tailored classroom-based support to participants with additional needs, ensuring full engagement in learning and personal development. Your responsibilities include implementing required adjustments, delivering practical and pastoral support, and monitoring progress through accurate record-keeping. Working collaboratively with internal teams, you will ensure all support requirements are met and that barriers to learning are identified and addressed through a robust, individualised Personal Training Plan.

You will also coordinate suitable work placements, liaise with employers to resolve issues, and provide job coaching or additional support to maximise participants learning and development during work-related activities.

1. Provide person-centered support to participants on the Skills for Life and Work programme.

2. Support participants within classroom and external venues including work placements.

3. Encourage individuals to engage in opportunities and build independence skills.

4. Promote Volunteer opportunities for group members.

5. Build on existing external networks/relations and develop new ones to increase placement opportunities for our participants.

6. Route train participants to increase independence skills.

7. Work effectively with NOW Group Services to provide a full range of support, optimising positive progression for participants.

8. Ensure organisational, team and individual annual KPIs are met.

9. Ensure accurate record keeping of participant attendance, retention and progression in compliance with organisational data protection and confidentiality policy.

10. Comply fully with NOW Group's 'Organisational Approach to Safeguarding.

This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine

At NOW Group, we value and invest in our team. As part of our organisation, youll benefit from:

• Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata).
• Health Cash Plan: Available after successful probation.
• Wellbeing Support: Confidential staff counselling and financial advisory services.
• Pension Scheme: 5% employer contribution.
• Flexible Work Initiatives: Including the Bike-to-Work scheme, holiday purchase options, and more.

About The Role

• Employment is subject to an Access NI Disclosure check.
• NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. A copy of our safeguarding and recruitment policies is available upon request.

Join us at NOW Group and make a real difference in the lives of individuals with learning difficulties and autism. Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future.

Required Criteria

• 1. A full current driving licence and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling proposals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a licence.
• 2. Ability to be flexible and adaptable - hours are flexible and may involve evening and weekend work as required.
• 3. Minimum level 2 qualification in English and Maths.
• 4. Minimum of one years paid experience of working with either: o Participants with learning disabilities/difficulties o Experience assisting young people in training o Experience of liaising with employers
• 5. Minimum of one years paid experience in building local networks and seeking placements
• 6. Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite.
• 7. Excellent communication skills and public speaking/presentation skills.

Desired Criteria

• 1. Previous experience of working on Skills for Life and Work Programme or similar government contracts
• 2. Proven track record of securing employment or work placements for people with barriers to learning.

Skills Needed

About The Company

At the heart of the NOW Groups mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.

One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (Just A Minute) Card
-a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. Its a very successful initiative with over…