Employment Support Specialist; Individual Placement Support

Employment Support Specialist - Connect to Work Programme

Northumberland Skills offers residents a variety of full and part-time courses, apprenticeships, and employability advice and support across Northumberland. We are looking to appoint a motivated and community‑focused Employment Support Specialist as part of Northumberland County Councils Employability Service. You will work on the Connect to Work programme, part of the national Get Britain Working strategy. This role uses the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model to help residents with health conditions, disabilities, or complex barriers into meaningful employment.

This is an outreach role, so you will meet people where they are – including community partner settings, employer sites, GP surgeries, job centres and other community venues, helping them into meaningful, lasting jobs. You’ll work with employers to identify suitable roles for your caseload and provide tailored in‑work support that includes building confidence, guiding both the individual and employer through initial tasks, and advising on workplace adjustments during the crucial first weeks.

We are looking for individuals who believe that if someone wants to work, they should be supported to do so and that with your help, it is absolutely possible.

• Manage a small caseload, providing tailored, person‑centred support aligned to the IPS Fidelity model.
• Deliver outreach services across Northumberland in community settings, employer sites, GP surgeries, and job centres.
• Engage with employers to secure suitable roles and provide in‑work support.
• Collaborate with partners including NHS, DWP, housing providers, and voluntary sector organisations.
• Support residents through vocational profiling, action planning, and integration with wider support services to move them into good work.

• Experience in employability, community engagement, or health/social care.
• Strong interpersonal, organisational, and IT skills.
• Ability to work autonomously across agencies and manage complex referrals.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Knowledge of local services and employment challenges is desirable.

This is a unique opportunity to shape integrated employment and wellbeing support across Northumberland, making a real difference in people’s lives. While our team will have a base in Morpeth, this role will involve coverage across the county.

For an informal discussion, please contact Rachel Druce:  @ rachel

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part‑time employees).
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part‑time employees).

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

Alternative application format:
British Sign Language: nort
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss:
Text relay service dial  623930