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 a Employment Specialist to play a pivotal role in our Employability Service in Haringey.
Sounds great, what will I be doing?
We are seeking a dedicated and adaptable professional to manage a caseload of up to 20 clients, supporting individuals with mental health conditions into meaningful employment using the IPS model. The ideal candidate will work closely with clinical teams, contribute to multi-disciplinary care planning, and build strong relationships with employers to tailor job opportunities. Strong organisational and communication skills are essential for managing referrals, job retention support, and compliance with NHS and Hestia protocols. The role also requires accurate KPI tracking, benefit guidance, and flexibility to work across various settings. A commitment to professional development, collaboration, and client-centred outcomes is key.
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.
Someone who is a self starter and comfortable with a lone working environment, you will have strong empathy skills and an eye for detail. You should have experience of supporting people in a job search and have made an impact on this. To succeed you would need to have worked in a target environment and used to meeting and exceeding targets.
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.
Registered Charity
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We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Key Information:
LOCATION: Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, London and Manchester (hybrid working pattern). We are prioritising applications for the Nottingham and Newcastle locations in line with our regional development strategy.
HOURS: 37.5 hours per week (flexible working around core hours of 10am-4pm)
START DATE: 10th August 2026
DURATION: 18-month graduate programme with optional apprenticeship opportunity upon completion. Permanent contract from August 2026.
SALARY: £27,375 per annum (Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham and Newcastle), £30,025 (London).
DEADLINE: Thursday 2nd April at 12pm (noon).
The application process: written application > video interview > assessment centre.
Assessment Centres will take place between 20th April and 8th May 2026. They will be conducted on Zoom and consist of 3 tasks: An interview, a written exercise and a group task (with up to 3 other candidates)
In keeping with upReach's mission and values we would particularly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups and those with lived experience of barriers to social mobility.
We encourage all applicants to review our Application Pack before submitting your application.
About upReach
Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?
upReach’s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from a disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2.
We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities. We help undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds achieve their career potential by providing an intensive programme of support that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment.
To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website and read our Annual Report, and Impact Report.
About the FCLP
upReach is recruiting for our unique Future Charity Leaders Programme (FCLP). This is a great opportunity for anyone who is passionate about social mobility, and looking to gain exposure to various aspects of charity management whilst working with university students who are exploring their career options. We welcome applications from those in the corporate world who are looking for a career change as well as recent graduates wanting to kick-start their career in the third sector.
upReach’s Future Charity Leaders Programme (FCLP) combines delivery work (supporting our Associates) with exposure to a range of aspects of charity management.
As a Programme Coordinator on the FCLP, you will deliver personalised, employment-focused support to a cohort of approximately 80 Associates, helping to transform their lives by equipping them with the necessary skills to secure a top graduate job. During a typical week, you should expect to be working across a range of projects including:
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1:1 undergraduate coaching
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Events organisation
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Application support
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Partnership management (with university partners or employer partners)
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and more!
In addition to this, the programme offers the opportunity to develop skills in key areas of charity management by participating in 3 rounds of six-month 'rotations' across different functions. After your initial 18 months and the completion of 3, six-month rotations, you will have the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship in Leadership and Management to further develop your skills and gain a level 3 qualification.
Throughout the programme, you will receive dedicated internal training developing your leadership skills and building your confidence in the role.Through our partnership with The Circle Line, you will be part of a supportive peer group, offered regular personal development training workshops online and in-person on their '12 Tools for Life'. You will also be able to choose your own practitioner to support you in 1:1 sessions throughout the programme to help you unlock more of your unique potential.
What will I be doing?
The FCLP is a fast-paced but rewarding role. Programme Coordinators spend 80% of their time (4 days per week) working directly with Associates to enhance their career knowledge and skills and 20% (1 day per week) on a charity management rotation (or an apprenticeship after 18 months). No two days are the same, but your responsibilities may include:
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Building and maintaining strong relationships with Associates, helping them to achieve their career goals
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Developing and delivering professional development-focused support
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Individual and small group work with Associates
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Assisting Associates with their applications to undergraduate positions and graduate jobs
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Developing sector and/or employability skill knowledge while building resources to aid all Associates
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Developing and maintaining strong relationships with university and/or employer partners
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Delivering informative workshops to enhance sector knowledge and employability skills
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Planning, delivering and reporting on events and workshops with partners
When applying for this role we ask that applicants are able to commit to the full 18-month training programme, and we encourage participation in the apprenticeship scheme beyond this. As you will be working directly with our beneficiaries throughout their degree, this consistency will allow you to build bonds with your Associates and ensure continuity, thus allowing us to have the most impact for the young people we work with.
What Skills and Experience do I need?
This programme would be suited to individuals who are committed to upReach’s mission, motivated to work with undergraduates and interested in learning about, and gaining experience in, charity management. We are looking for people who are passionate about social mobility and believe that background should not be a barrier to graduate employment.
Essential Skills/Experiences:
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Working in a fast-paced environment and working independently to find solutions to problems
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Strong organisational and time management skills with a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage a varied workload
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A University degree in any discipline, or equivalent experience
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Self-motivation and an ability to work in a small team as well as solo
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Excellent communication skills and strong written English
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The ability to engage and communicate confidently with undergraduates, corporate volunteers (mentors) and employers via phone, email, and in person
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Confidence with public speaking or facilitating workshops
Desirable Skills/Experiences:
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Knowledge of the graduate labour market in the UK and experience supporting individuals through an application process
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Working in one or more of the career sectors that upReach support Associates in applying to.
Team Culture & Benefits:
By joining the upReach team, you will be joining a team who are dedicated to encouraging you in your career journey and fostering an inclusive culture.
We offer:
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Flexible working, hybrid working and reduced Summer Hours (June-August)
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Statutory Holiday Entitlement of 25 days, plus bank holidays. (This increases to 27 days entitlement after 2.5 years and then to 30 days after 5 years of working with us)
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Enhanced Parental Leave beyond statutory requirements for all team members
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1 day of Birthday leave, 1 day of Volunteering leave and discretionary annual wellbeing days
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Optional extended unpaid leave
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3% Pension Contribution, this increases to 5% after 5 years of working with us
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Cycle-to-work scheme, Tech scheme
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Monthly socials, Annual in-person Team Day
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Dedication to Staff Wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aid Training
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A range of discounts through the Charity Workers Discount and Tickets for Good websites
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The opportunity to participate in our fantastic staff networks:
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Disability and Inclusion Network
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Diverse Roots Network
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Green Network
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LGBTQ+ Network
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Mindfulness Network
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Parents and Carers Network
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Socio-Economic Background Network
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(Im)Migrants Network
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Ready to apply?
We are dedicated to making our recruitment process inclusive. All applications will be blind screened, and our job packs are available in Braille, large text or another format upon request. We can provide reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment application process and on the job, and we'll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible.
Unfortunately, upReach is unable to offer Visa Sponsorship.
Applications close at 12pm on Thursday 2nd April
Equal Opportunities
At upReach, we are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, social background or any other protected class. We celebrate and value the diverse perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our team. We are passionate about creating a workplace that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of communities across the UK. Thus, we encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities, those who are care-experienced, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those who are LGBTQIA+.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
THE CLINK CHARITY
YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER (LONDON & SOUTHEAST)
Salary: £30,000 FTE
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time, 39 hours p/w
Location: Supporting students from The Clink’s sites across London and the South East
Applications close on Friday 27th March but will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are advised
ABOUT THE CLINK CHARITY
The Clink Charity, founded in 2009, aims to prevent and reduce reoffending through training, rehabilitation, and support. We deliver hospitality and horticulture training behind the prison walls and in the community by creating an environment where our students are supported to gain the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to rebuild their lives.
Since that time, we have trained approximately 5,000 people in prison and delivered 2,600 City & Guilds qualifications in a variety of hospitality and food courses.
What makes The Clink so unique is our post-release support and mentoring programme that rehabilitates an offender back into society through assistance with health and mental health issues, housing, employment, family connections and friendships.
The charity operates an award-winning fine-dining restaurant open to the public inside HMP Brixton, training kitchens in the prison estate, horticulture projects at HMP Send and HMP Erlestoke, a commercial bakery in Brixton, and a bespoke delivery service, Catered by Clink.
Additionally, Clink Events is our social enterprise catering business with food produced by the women in HMP Downview and also in an additional kitchen at Herne Hill and then served by alumni on front of house at some of the best venues in London including: the Guildhall, the Science Museum, Cutty Sark, Kew Gardens and the Camden Roundhouse. In 2024, across 218 events, The Clink fed 36,000 people.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Clink Training Café, located in Herne Hill, is a real-life professional kitchen and café that provides young people with meaningful work experience over a 12-week programme. During this time, participants work towards five accredited City & Guilds qualifications while gaining hands-on hospitality and employability skills.
We work closely with the Youth Justice Service, as well as Children in Care and Care Leavers teams, to engage vulnerable and at-risk young people in the programme. Many of the young people we support are at risk of criminal exploitation and grooming, and we also work with neurodivergent young people who have additional learning needs.
At our café in Herne Hill, we have supported 100% of our students who have participated in the program to graduate into further education or employment.
The Youth Support Worker will provide a high quality and responsive support, mentoring and advocacy service which creatively addresses the needs and risks of our students and graduates, enabling them to avoid the risk of criminal exploitation upon completion of the program and to progress into the next step of their education or employment pathway.
You will be joining The Clink Charity at an exciting time as we plan to scale the success of our Café project by taking on a second site in Guildford to work with vulnerable NEET young people across Surrey. This role will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to mobilise this project and to take a leading role in building referrals, establishing networks and establishing this new intervention.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Youth Support Worker, you are responsible for:
Individualised Support
• Act as a strong advocate for all students, representing their needs and interests.
• Complete a personalised support plan for each student to understand their individual needs, challenges, and personal circumstances.
• Work closely with young people to identify risks, recognise warning signs, and develop strategies to reduce the likelihood of involvement in criminal exploitation, grooming, or other harmful behaviours.
• Support student engagement throughout the programme, addressing conflicts or challenges as they arise to maintain a positive learning environment.
• Establish appropriate boundaries and respond effectively to student behaviour to ensure a safe and inclusive environment.
• Support students in developing resilience, confidence, and independent decision-making skills.
Monitoring and Impact
• Conduct weekly 1:1 session with each student, focusing on personal growth, emotional wellbeing, and life skills such as budgeting, accurately logging all sessions in both internal and external CRM systems.
• Ensure all contact logs and essential paperwork are accurately updated and completed weekly.
• Contribute ideas to improve programme delivery and student engagement through innovative activities or support strategies.
• Use data insights to report progress to referral partners and funders.
Partnerships and Networks
• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with all external partners and networks.
• Engage with external partners to build the relationships needed to receive referrals for our target audience and meet with each student prior to starting the programme to ensure a smooth induction.
• Liaise with relevant networks and attend meetings with funders or partner organisations that support the students' development.
• Seek out new partnership opportunities to enable The Clink's youth programs to grow and develop.
Employer and Further Education Connections
• Establish relationships with a variety of employers and further education providers to support work placements and future career opportunities.
• Assist students in creating structured CVs and preparing for interviews, including attending interviews if required.
Safeguarding
• To prioritise child protection and safeguarding of beneficiaries.
• Report and log all safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead promptly, following charity policies.
General
• Travel between different sites when necessary, including locations such as our second site in Guildford, Surrey. Able to accompany our young people on trips, visits, or work placements, always maintaining safety and professional standards.
• Attend all training sessions and supervision meetings provided by senior management.
• Work collaboratively with staff across The Clink to achieve the best outcomes for young people and maintain healthy, professional working relationships.
• Support the planning and delivery of special events, career fairs, or community engagement projects.
DESIRABLE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
• Holds an enhanced DBS check suitable for working with both children and adults, ensuring full compliance with safeguarding and legal requirements.
• Experience of working with young people aged 16-25, with an understanding of their developmental stages, personal challenges, and individual needs.
• Possesses a relevant youth work qualification or equivalent, demonstrating a commitment to professional standards and best practice in supporting young people.
• Experience of working in prisons, youth offender institutions, or the criminal justice
system, including having lived experience, and the ability to use this knowledge to positively guide young people.
• Experience of supporting young people involved in gangs, at risk of exploitation, or affected by county lines, with the ability to identify risks and implement interventions to reduce harm.
• Experience of networking and building strong professional relationships with employers, apprenticeship services, and external partners to support education, training, and work placement opportunities.
• Experience of referring young people to specialist services and working collaboratively within a multi-agency framework to provide holistic support and guidance.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and the PREVENT Duty, with the ability to assess risks, consult with line managers, and log appropriately in line with organisational protocols.
• Ability to maintain a safe, structured environment with clear boundaries while responding appropriately to behaviours and supporting young people to make positive choices.
• Ability to identify risk factors for criminal exploitation or grooming, help young people recognise warning signs, and implement strategies to reduce their vulnerability.
• Strong numeracy skills, sufficient to assist young people with budgeting, calculating benefit entitlements, understanding rent arrears, and managing finances.
• IT literate, able to maintain accurate records, logs, and assessments on internal and external systems while ensuring data is up to date and securely stored.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to build trust, motivate, and advise a diverse group of young people while maintaining professional relationships.
• Able to adopt a supportive, confident, and motivating approach, inspiring young people, building their self-esteem, and promoting positive personal development.
• Demonstrate empathy, patience, and understanding of the diverse challenges young people may face, including personal, social, and emotional issues.
• Demonstrate resilience and adaptability, able to respond to changing circumstances and manage stress effectively while maintaining a positive approach.
• Highly organised and proactive, able to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities efficiently without compromising the quality of support.
• Committed to teamwork and collaboration, working effectively with colleagues, external partners, and multi-agency teams to achieve the best outcomes for young people.
• Willingness to engage in continuous training, professional development, and reflective practice to enhance knowledge, skills, and performance.
REPORTING LINES MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS
You will report directly to the Support Lead for London and the SE, the Executive Leadership Team, but also work closely with any external networks such as the local authority and related Clink project leads in the community.
GENERAL CLINK CHARITY INFORMATION
All staff are expected to:
• Comply with all current legislation
• Comply with all prison operational policies
• Comply with The Clink Staff Handbook
• Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by your manager
Special Requirements:
• Must have an enhanced DBS for children & adults
• A driving licence is preferred because of travel between sites — but not essential.
Company Benefits:
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Free meals on duty when based in a restaurant or at Herne Hill site.
HOW TO APPLY
If you would like to apply for this post, please send your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 2 sides of A4).
In your supporting statement you should ensure that you try to address the desirable criteria set out in the person specification for the role. Make sure you give evidence which shows how you meet the criteria, not just telling us that you did it.
Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis for this role, so early applications are encouraged. The deadline for applications is Friday 27th March.
We do not send individual acknowledgment of applications due to the high volume we receive, and we will only contact candidates who are shortlisted for an interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.
If you would like an informal chat about this role, we can offer a call with a member of The Clink Team. Even if you feel you do not meet some of the criteria listed above, we would still welcome applications from passionate candidates who are keen to make a difference.
Appointment process
Applicants who have demonstrated that they meet the desirable criteria set out in the person specification will be contacted and interviews arranged on a rolling basis.
Interview
If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to a selection process. A panel of two or more, including the recruiting manager conducts all interviews. If there are any special arrangements associated with the selection process e.g. tests or presentations, you will be informed accordingly.
Interview outcome
If you are invited to attend an interview, you will be informed either verbally or in writing of the outcome. The successful candidate will have the decision confirmed in writing as an offer of employment. Unsuccessful candidates will be offered the opportunity for feedback.
References
If you are successful in your application, you are asked to provide us with the details of two referees. We only contact referees with your permission after an offer of employment has been made.
All offers of employment are conditional upon the receipt of references that are satisfactory to The Clink Charity, verification of right to work in the UK and where applicable, verification of qualifications and Disclosure and Barring Service (where required).
Personal information
The personal information that you have supplied will only be used for recruitment and selection purposes. You should refer to the Privacy Notice on our website, which sets out how The Clink Charity will deal with the personal and sensitive data you have provided in your application form and supporting information.
EDI
We welcome all applicants and are keen to enhance our team to reflect the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disabled people, those from LGBTQIA+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those experiencing other forms of marginalisation, as they are underrepresented at this level. In addition, as this role works directly with people in prison and those at risk of offending, those with lived experience are encouraged to apply.
Accessible recruitment
The Clink Charity is committed to making our recruitment process and workplace accessible to all. If you are an applicant with a disability and/or have any specific needs or adjustments that you would like us to consider, at application, interview, or appointment stage, please make us aware in your application.
Please ensure you apply with a supporting statement/cover letter explaining your reasons for applying in line with the role requirements and values of the charity.
