Employment support jobs

For more than 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has proudly supported Service leavers, veterans, and their families in building successful civilian careers.​

We provide veterans with life-long, life-changing support, jobs, and training opportunities, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

​Brief role description:

​The CST Client Advisor will play a pivotal role in assisting clients transitioning from military to civilian life by providing tracking, referral, and job matching services.​

​Working closely with the Central Support Team (CST), the CST Client Advisor will offer advice and guidance to both clients and employers, utilising the Meganexus CRM and the CTP internet platform.

Who we are looking for: ​

​We are looking for a proactive individual with experience in advising and supporting individuals in need and empathy and understanding of the challenges ex-forces personnel face when transitioning into civilian employment.​

​You will be confident and outgoing, able to work independently, but also communicate effectively and collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders and will have strong interpersonal and influencing skills, enabling you to interact effectively with others and contribute to a diverse and dedicated team.​

​You will also need to be highly organised and proficient with IT systems, such as the Microsoft Suite and CRM platforms.

​Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? Check out our Website

​Eager to know more the role? Have a look at the Job Description attached below.

What’s in it for you? Check out our Benefits attached below.

Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by closing date, ​Friday, 22 May 2026.

​Got questions about the role? Get in touch with the People Team.

​Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore, we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. ​If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made The People Team aware before applying.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop, and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.​

​We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

​

#LI-DNI

We’re looking for a hands-on General Manager to lead an exciting new social enterprise in Lambeth — combining a busy bike repair workshop with a welcoming community café.

This is a unique opportunity to run and grow a business that not only serves the local community but also supports people with mental health challenges and other barriers to employment to gain skills, confidence and move into work.

You’ll oversee the day-to-day running of the bike shop and café, balancing commercial performance with meaningful social impact. This is a varied, fast-paced role where you’ll need to be proactive, organised and happy to get stuck in.

Abbevilles Bikes is part of First Step Trust, a charity with over 30 years’ experience supporting people into employment.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading daily operations across the bike shop and café
• Managing a small team and supporting volunteers
• Driving sales and working towards financial sustainability
• Delivering excellent customer service and building local relationships
• Supporting on-site training and development activity

What we’re looking for:

• Experience managing a service, project or small business
• A hands-on approach and confidence taking ownership
• Strong organisational and people management skills
• A commercial mindset with a passion for social impact

You don’t need to be a bike expert — just a willingness to learn.

What we offer:

• The chance to build and grow a new social enterprise
• A supportive and friendly working environment

Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Homelessness and Complex NeedsCare Service in Slough. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£30,784.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

You will work a mixture of early and late shifts (no nights shifts) across 7 days a week on a rolling rota. You will be expected to work some bank holidays.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead .

• Work proactively with Slough Hostel team to handle the service caseload and support an effective team approach to meeting each customer's identified needs.
• Motivate the team and champion a positive local culture within the service.
• Contribute to a positive service environment, ensuring the service is supportive and a place of safety and stability for customers. This includes working flexibly and being proactively in delivering, reviewing and arranging effective support for emerging needs and risks in order to prevent escalating concerns.

About you:

• Approachable and open behaviour.
• Prefers working as part of a group or team.
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Has relevant sector work experience
• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent

Desirable:

• Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the

importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Support Worker to join our friendly team and help support the continued work of our LifeSkills Plus team. You will provide intensive support to adults with complex needs who are further away from employment or training by using a strength-based approach, ensuring those accessing the programme receive appropriate practical and emotional support by visiting them at home or in the community.

The LifeSkills programme supports individuals and families to build their confidence, social networks, financial and employability skills. The LifeSkills Support Worker will work closely with the linked LifeSkills programme, entitled LifeSkills Open.

Specialist Behavioural Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities Care Service in Newham. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£31,117.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the particular post.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead .

• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
• Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
• Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
• Create support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customer to progress in their recovery
• Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
• Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour * Prefers working as part of a group or team
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some or equivalent sector work experience

Desirable:

• Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications and languages

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

Internal Job Title: Sanctuary Support Coordinator

Hours: 35 hours per week (full time). 

Location: Home-based focussed around Cardiff and Newport, with regular travel across Wales and occasional travel to England. 

Contract: Currently funded until December 2028. 

Salary: £36,191. 

About us 

Housing Justice unites diverse communities to build personal connections, help people out of homelessness, and create justice in the housing system. Our vision is of a community where everyone has a safe and stable home, and a feeling they belong. 

Our Seeking Sanctuary project is a Wales-based initiative delivering innovative housing solutions and community-led support for people seeking sanctuary. We combine community hosting, tenancy-based housing, and advocacy to help build a Nation of Sanctuary. 

About the role 

Reporting directly to the Sanctuary Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of our accommodation pathways, ensuring the best possible outcomes for destitute migrants and newly granted refugees. 

This is a dynamic, frontline casework role that spans three core areas of our housing provision: 

• The Hosting Project: Supporting people seeking sanctuary who have no recourse to public funds by giving them a welcoming, safe place to stay in the home of one of our volunteer hosts. 

• Refugee Lodgings: Helping to provide a safe and supported housing option for newly granted refugees at risk of homelessness by matching them with people who have a spare room. 

• Transitional Housing: Providing vital tenancy sustainment support for newly granted refugees transitioning into our shared accommodation properties. 

About you 

We are seeking a dedicated, highly organised, and empathetic professional with proven experience working directly with people experiencing homelessness, particularly asylum seekers and forced migrants. 

You will have a strong working knowledge of the housing system, the UK welfare system (including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit), and how to support people to access their entitlements. Because this role requires managing complex casework and navigating cultural nuances, you must possess strong interpersonal skills, particularly when working with vulnerable people or those with English as a second language. 

If you are a creative problem-solver who is passionate about empowering refugees and building sustainable housing pathways, we want to hear from you. 

Benefits 

• 29 days annual leave, 3 of which are fixed between Christmas and New Year. 

• This is in addition to bank holidays and pro-rata if part time. 

• After 3 years of service, you are entitled to one additional day of holiday for each additional year of service, up to a maximum of 5 additional days, pro-rata if part time. 

• We offer flexible working. Not all posts can be made flexible, but where possible we operate core hours of 10am - 3pm, with employees able to flex their working day around these. 

• Any flexibility is at the discretion of the line manager and relevant senior manager. 

• As this role is offered as Home Working, we will provide some financial support to get you set up with appropriate equipment. 

• We offer an employee assistance programme through Spectrum Life, which can be used by you and your family for a range of advice and support. 

• We offer a cycle-to-work scheme. 

How to apply 

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please read the attached job description and fill out the application form, describing your capabilities for each of the numbered points in the person specification. 

Interviews will provisionally be held on Thursday 11 June

Specialist Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Mental Health Service in Newham. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£31,593.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the particular post.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead .

• Work in partnership with our external partners
• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
• Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
• Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
• Create support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customer to progress in their recovery
• Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
• Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour * Prefers working as part of a group or team
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some or equivalent sector work experience

Desirable:

• Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications and languages

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

For more than 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has helped the military community succeed beyond service – building careers, shaping futures, and living with purpose. Last year, we provided dedicated and specialist employment and justice support to over 23,000 people to create careers and long-term stability.

​

Are you a passionate leader with a commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community? We’re looking for an experienced and driven individual to lead and shape our national employment support service, helping veterans and their families build meaningful and sustainable careers.

​

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-performing team, influence strategy, and make a real difference across the UK.

​

Brief role description

​

The Programme Manager plays a pivotal leadership role in delivering the Forces Employment Charity’s Ex-Forces Employment Charity Programme. This programme provides regionally-based, comprehensive employment support to all who have served in HM Armed Forces, ensuring personal and locally informed guidance for veterans seeking employment or career change.

Working closely with the Director of Veterans and Families Employment, the Programme Manager drives operational excellence, strengthens service consistency across the UK, and represents the charity’s employment offer in the devolved nations. They ensure that our national network of Advisors is supported, empowered, and aligned to strategic goals, enabling the very best outcomes for the veteran community.

​

It’s essential that they have experience managing multi-site or national teams, alongside a strong understanding of employment support or careers guidance. They will be confident working with a range of stakeholders, able to use data to inform decisions, and an excellent communicator. Strong IT skills and a genuine commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community are also key.

​

Ideally, they will bring experience from the veterans or employability sector, along with some understanding of devolved nation policy or frameworks such as safeguarding or vocational training.

​

This role requires an Enhanced DBS check.

​

Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? Check our website.

​

Eager to know more the role? Have a look at the Job Description.

​

What’s in it for you? Check out our Benefits.

​

Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by closing date Wednesday, 6 May 2026.

​

Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore, we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made The People Team aware before applying.

​

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop, and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

​

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

​

#LI-DNI

Rethink have an exciting opportunity to work for us delivering the new Connect to Work Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programme within County Durham.

We are looking for an Employment Specialist to support individuals with health conditions, mental health difficulties, a disability or complex barriers to employment to gain, retain, or return to employment, following the IPS principles. You will also engage with and support local employers to enable work to be sustainable for individuals and by bridging workforce needs with local people.

The roles will involve travelling around your allocated area to meet individuals in need of support offering a person centred approach and engaging with local employers who have workforce vacancies. You will work closely with and within healthcare settings and as part of a wider partnership of organisations to deliver the programme across the region.

Connect to Work is part of the National Get Britain Working strategy which is a new government funded programme. Within County Durham the initial programme is based upon the IPS model which looks to support people who would like to gain employment by delivering tailored support to move into the right job quickly and support to maintain employment.

The available role is a Full Time post of 32.5 hours per week with days and times to be worked open to discussion and agreement with the successful candidate. This post is for a fixed term until 31st March 2028, with the possibility of an additional 2 year extension once funding is confirmed. A Driving licence and car are essential to carry out this role.

Staff Benefits  

• Competitive salary & flexible working arrangements
• Contributory pension scheme & Life assurance
• Occupational sick pay scheme
• 25, increasing to 30 days, annual leave per year, plus statutory holidays for all staff (pro rata for part time staff)
• Your Rethink Day – an additional day’s leave on your birthday (pro rata for part time staff)
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption policy
• Dependant leave & compassionate leave
• Where appropriate paid eye test plus up to £55 towards the cost of new glasses or lenses
• Employee assistance program
• In depth training programmes for all our staff from mandatory training to specialist areas.
• Funded training and development opportunities delivered in a variety of ways, face to face, mentoring, coaching, e-learning and blended learning solutions
• Access to a range of e-learning courses and resources through our e-learning Zone
• Accredited Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) centre and provide comprehensive development programmes for managers
• We have a career progression programme (Invest in your Career) to develop skills and experiences of staff aspiring to become managers
• Ongoing professional and personal development is supported by individual supervision, group supervision and appraisal.

To Apply please fill out the application questions and upload your up to date CV detailing your knowledge, experience and reason for applying.

About Working Well Trust

Working Well Trust is a mental health and employment charity in London. All of our projects share the aim of improving the lives of people with mental health support needs, learning disabilities and/or complex issues through training and employment.

We are now recruiting for a role providing focused, time-limited information, advice and guidance to individuals experiencing mental health challenges, supporting them to return to, remain in, or move towards employment, with a particular focus on engaging those facing multiple and intersecting barriers to work.

This is a full-time, permanent role working 35 hours per week.

What you’ll be doing

If you were working with us, you would be:

• Managing a varied caseload of clients, providing tailored information, advice and guidance to support their employment goals
• Working collaboratively with clients to identify their individual needs and the level of support required
• Developing clear, realistic Action Plans with clients, and reviewing these regularly to reflect progress and changing circumstances
• Supporting clients to address workplace challenges, helping them to return to work, remain in employment, or secure new roles
• Monitoring and tracking progress towards agreed employment outcomes, ensuring support remains focused and effective
• Enabling access to wider opportunities such as training, education, volunteering and other development pathways
• Making appropriate referrals to external services and partner organisations to ensure holistic support for clients

This role requires a proactive and person-centred approach, with a strong focus on achieving meaningful and sustainable employment outcomes.

What we offer

• 30 days annual leave plus public holidays (FTE) 
• Flexible, paid Wellbeing Hour every fortnight (FTE) 
• 35 hours working week
• 6% employer pension contribution 
• 1 day per week working from home subject to completion of Homeworking Checklist
• Supportive environment within a small, dedicated team
• Meaningful, rewarding work supporting people into employment
• Paid carers' leave available

Working Well Trust is an equal opportunities employer and Confident about Disabilities.

What’s next 

Before you apply, please note the following: 

• We actively recruit and carefully review all applications. Due to rapid service expansion, we have onboarded 20 external hires in the last six months. 

• To ensure we can best support the people and communities we serve, we progress applications only where candidates provide meaningful answers to the screening questions. 

• Career development is real here: in the past year, 10 colleagues have progressed internally into Senior roles, Project Lead, Team Lead, and Operations Manager positions. We value ambition and celebrate progression. 

If you are ready to help us build a service that supports people into meaningful work, click Apply to submit your CV and answer the screening questions. Telephone and final interviews will be confirmed. 

Start your application today and take the next step in a rewarding career. 

Barnet Mencap is a charity based in Finchley supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people across Barnet. Through our Bright Futures Employment Programme, we support individuals into meaningful employment, training, and long-term independence.

We are looking for a motivated and outcome-focused Employment Officer to join our team.

This role is centred on supporting individuals into sustained employment, managing a caseload of learners, and working directly with employers to create real opportunities.

The Role

You will:

• Manage a caseload of learners and support them into work
• Deliver 1:1 employability support and job club sessions
• Support CV writing, applications, and interview preparation
• Build relationships with employers and identify opportunities
• Support individuals in the workplace where needed
• Track outcomes and maintain accurate records

This is a results-driven role, focused on real job outcomes, not just engagement.

 The Candidate

You will have:

• Experience working with people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people
• Understanding of barriers to employment
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Ability to motivate and support individuals
• Experience delivering structured support (desirable: employment programmes)

 What We Offer

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata, including Bank Holidays)
• TOIL system and flexible working approach
• Supportive team environment
• Opportunity to be part of a high-impact employment programme

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria on the person specification.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service application in line with Section 115 of The Police Act 1997.  

Closing Date: Friday 15th May 2026

Interview Date: We will review applications as they come in and offer interviews to those who meet the criteria. 

Would you like to work for a leading mental health charity?

Do you want a rewarding career where you can make a real difference to someone’s life?

If yes, join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

We have exciting opportunity at our Coventry & Warwickshire IPS Employment service, where you will join our friendly and inspiring team as a IPS Employment Specialist. Your role will be a permanent position working, 

37.5 hours per week field-based role.

Role will be based in the community of South Warwickshire

A good working local knowledge of all areas of South Warwickshire would of be ideal.

You will be integrated into the NHS to provide employment support for people experiencing severe mental illness with the aim of gaining employment. You will attend 6 meetings per week with local employers to build relationships and engage them regarding our service, in the above locations.

In addition, you will meet your clients each week to provide them with face-to-face support. Key to this role will also be to undertake administration duties such as producing letters, spreadsheets, and keeping various systems up to date.  As part of the role, you will receive System 1 training from the NHS which will be made up of a series of 10 online sessions and a final assessment.

You will also be expected to operate Rethinks internal CRM systems on a daily basis, full training will be provided.

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”

In everything we do, we seek to demonstrate our values: Passion, Commitment, Openness, Hope, Expertise and understanding. If these values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you.

What will you be doing?

• Manage a caseload of between 20-30 service users at any one time who are currently off work / unemployed, receiving specialist mental health services and who wish to return to work, pro rota.
• Build relationships with clinical teams to generate referrals and create a collaborative working partnerships with NHS clinicians where employment support is integrated into mental health treatment and forms part of the Transformation plan.
• Build a multi-disciplinary approach to the return to work. For example, involve clinical staff (where relevant) in managing symptoms at work, liaise with DWP and other stake holder groups.
• To prepare individuals for a return to work by supporting service users to understand their skills, aspirations and goals through vocational profiling and action planning.
• Focus on rapid job search with the service user, whilst utilising local support networks to help them overcome their barriers to employment.
• Source job opportunities for service users through tailored job search and regular contact with employers, with 6 face to face contacts per week in the community.

Do you have what we are looking for?

• A basic understanding of IPS (Individual Placement Support) gained through experience or self-conducted research.
• Experience in recruitment or employment along with advice and guidance on employment needs 
• Ability to engage with employers and build close, trusting, and productive relationships with people
• Good understanding of the local area and it’s employers
• Strong IT skills with the competency to use a range of complex systems and software

• Good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment
• Experience of working in supported employment services is desirable
• Good time management, diary organisation, be adaptable/flexible as no two days are the same and to be able to work with minimal supervision
• Experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar service user group is desirable

As you will be working within the community, we do need you to hold a full UK driving licence.

What will you receive?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your abilities with the opportunity to make a real difference every day. In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including funded training, career development and a range e-learns. You will also receive:  

• Starting salary of £31,049 per annum
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance and employee assistance programme
• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days plus bank holidays  
• Your "Rethink Day" - 1 day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your Birthday
• Eyecare vouchers
• Flexible working  

Don’t just change jobs, change lives!

Job Title: Employment Consultant (Northeast VALOUR)

Location: Home-based (within 1 hour travel to Durham) with regular travel across the Northeast

Salary: £33,174

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week (part time or flexible working options considered)

Contract: 2 years fixed term with possibility of extension

At The Poppy Factory, we believe that everyone who has served our country deserves the opportunity to build a fulfilling life beyond the armed forces. For over a century, we have stood alongside veterans and their families, evolving our services to support veterans and adult family members to overcome barriers to employment and transform their lives.

We have been successful in becoming a delivery partner within the national VALOUR initiative, supporting the employment strand of the programme. This enables us to widen our impact for veterans and their families by ensuring individuals are supported into meaningful and sustainable employment, using an approach that is tailored to their specific needs.

We are seeking a passionate and person-centred Employment Consultant to join our team to deliver VALOUR in the Northeast. This is a role for someone who believes in potential, not limitations – someone who can walk alongside clients with empathy and determination, empowering them to take ownership of their employment journey.

You’ll provide tailored information, advice and guidance to help veterans secure meaningful and sustainable work, managing a diverse caseload with care and professionalism. Using coaching, mentoring and strengths-based approaches, you will help individuals identify their goals, build resilience and move confidently towards lasting employment outcomes.

Collaboration is at the heart of this role. You will develop strong partnerships with regional organisations to generate referrals and address wider barriers such as mental health, housing or addiction, while also building strong relationships with local employers to create real opportunities for your clients, and sharing best practice with your colleagues in the team.

With a strong understanding of local labour markets and safeguarding practices, you’ll maintain high-quality case records, contribute to continuous improvement, and actively participate in team development. Adaptability, initiative and resilience are key, as we respond to the evolving needs of our clients and the communities we serve.

Why The Poppy Factory?

• A chance to give back to our armed forces and make a positive and lasting impact to the lives of veterans and their families.
• Competitive salary and benefits package including generous holiday and pension contributions.
• A welcoming and empowering culture, with regular opportunities for team connecting and shared learning throughout the year.
• Variety in the role, a mix of delivering a community-based service in your region, home working and occasional visits to the historic Poppy Factory in Richmond, London
• The opportunity to develop your region and build relationships with employers and other support services that best meet the needs of the people you’re supporting.
• Be part of an iconic charity with a 100+ year history

For further information, including the full job description for the role, please refer to the candidate pack.

How to apply

To apply for this position please prepare your CV and a covering letter clearly outlining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification as set out above and submit via the online application process. Please address your covering letter to Keiron Coombs, Services Manager.

For an informal conversation to find out more about this role, please call Keiron Coombs.

The closing date for this vacancy will be 2 May 2026. Please note, we cannot accept late or incomplete applications. Only applications submitted through the online process will be considered.

First stage interviews will take place on 8 May 2026, with second stage interviews scheduled for 13 May 2026. Please ensure you are available on these dates, as it’s not always possible to reschedule.

No agencies please.

Equality & Diversity

We are committed to equality, valuing diversity, and promoting inclusion within our workforce, including the volunteers who give their time to us.  We work to maintain an environment where the needs and aspirations of all employees are met, irrespective of characteristics protected under the legislative framework of the Equality Act 2010. We expect everyone to understand and accept their personal responsibility to recognise and value differences and the unique contributions that people make to the way we deliver our work.

As an equal opportunities employer our commitment is to take positive measures to recruit people from underrepresented groups, and we actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview for any job applicant with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the role. Please indicate in your covering letter if you wish to be considered under this scheme. We are also happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process to accommodate disabled candidates.

We are a family friendly employer and happy to discuss flexible working arrangements. We encourage applicants to contact us to discuss if they have any questions before applying.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for an Employment Specialist to play a pivotal role in our Employability Services in Merton.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

You will support a caseload of 20 – 25 clients to find competitive and sustained employment. Around 20% of referrals will be to assist clients to remain in work if struggling, or return to work, if off sick. Employment Specialists will follow the 8 principles of IPS, adhere to the IPS Fidelity Scale and achieve monthly targets and KPIs with the required administration and compliance.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

You will bring a strong understanding of mental health and employment support, including experience helping individuals with mental health conditions or other barriers to find, return to, and sustain employment. You will have knowledge of employment models such as IPS and a commitment to recovery-focused, person-centred practice. With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you will confidently engage with clients, stakeholders, and partners, building effective relationships and delivering creative, solution-focused support. You will be highly organised, able to manage your time, prioritise tasks, and work to deadlines in an outcome-driven environment.

You will demonstrate a positive, professional, and self-motivated approach, with a genuine belief in the value of employment in improving wellbeing and independence. Strong assessment, action planning, and record-keeping skills are essential, alongside proficiency in Microsoft Office and database systems. You will also be empathetic, resilient, and committed to equality, diversity, and continuous personal and professional development.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.