Employment Specialist; Connect

Location:

Sunderland - this is a hybrid role with regular travel to sites across Newcastle area

This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week)

Job Purpose

The role of Employment Specialist is to deliver a programme, providing person-centred employment support to individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to work.

Using a Supported Employment model (IPS or SEQF), the role holder will enable participants to explore, gain, and sustain competitive paid employment. The role will involve partnership working with Jobcentre Plus, local employers, NHS and social care services, refugee organisations, and wider community stakeholders, to create pathways into work and deliver ongoing support to ensure job retention and sustainable outcomes

The post holder will be expected to work with a caseload of 20 – 25 individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to work defined as wishing to gain competitive (paid) employment. The post will involve working in more than one location, travel will be required, and it is therefore essential that the role holder can travel independently within the contract defined region.

It may be necessary on occasion for the post holder to work outside of standard office hours.

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Salary & Benefits

£28,925.00 per annum

Benefits include:

2 days of paid volunteering per year (pro rota)

Life Assurance

Discounted gym memberships

Cycle to work scheme.

Access to training portal to help support your own CPD

Edt is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults whom we work with and come into contact with around the world. All applicants are subject to thorough screening and successful candidates are subject to the relevant level of criminal record checks with national police authorities or the UK’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This will be at minimum a basic DBS check.

Edt is a proud Disability Confident Leader. We take practical steps to ensure that disability inclusion is not only part of our values but part of our everyday actions. We are committed to creating a working environment where disabled employees are supported, valued, and empowered to thrive in their role. If you are disabled or require specific adjustments during the application process, please do let us know how we can support you.

Company:
Education Development Trust

Salary: £28,925 to £28,925 a year

Hours:

Full-time

Location:

Sunderland, NE1 1JF

Working pattern:
Hybrid - 2 days remote

Job type:
Permanent

Posting date: 30 Oct 2026

Closing date: 29 Nov 2026

Employment Specialist

Location:

Sunderland - this is a hybrid role with regular travel to sites across Newcastle area

This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week)

Job Purpose

The role of Employment Specialist is to deliver a programme, providing person-centred employment support to individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to work.

Using a Supported Employment model (IPS or SEQF), the role holder will enable participants to explore, gain, and sustain competitive paid employment. The role will involve partnership working with Jobcentre Plus, local employers, NHS and social care services, refugee organisations, and wider community stakeholders, to create pathways into work and deliver ongoing support to ensure job retention and sustainable outcomes

The post holder will be expected to work with a caseload of 20 – 25 individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to work defined as wishing to gain competitive (paid) employment. The post will…