Job Purpose:
The CES role will be responsible for delivering our Journey to Employment (J2E) service. This is an innovative way of supporting people with disabilities and mental health problems into employment by running a peer-led Job Club and individual support. The CES will provide advice, mentoring, training and support to eligible job seekers, JCP staff and employers to remove barriers to clients finding and sustaining employment. The CES will be expected to divide their time between the J2E job club, JCP and employer engagement activities.
Responsibilities and Duties:
The CES will be deliver services across Jobcentre Plus offices, the J2E Job Club held in local community venues, and employer settings.
Within Jobcentre Plus, the CES will be responsible for:
• Working collaboratively with Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers (Deas) to support the J2E referral process by identifying customers for the J2E Job Club
• Providing insight into the issues many people face in finding and securing employment
• Building disability and mental health awareness - supporting Work Coaches by providing advice on complex cases as required
• Providing a clear line of communication and partnership between Jobcentre Plus and the J2E Job Club to ensure participants receive a joined-up package of employment support
• Supporting the delivery of introductory group sessions, providing an overview of the benefits of the J2E Job Club and raising awareness of the support the CES can offer
• Providing face-to-face independent disability advice for job seekers in Jobcentre Plus and signposting to specialist support services
• Raising awareness of the support available to individuals such as Access to Work
Within the J2E Job Club, the CES will be responsible for:
• Supporting J2E Job Club participants to identify personal barriers, manage health conditions and support participants to overcome barriers
• Working with and inspiring participants to identify training needs, improving self-confidence and motivation
• Developing personal goals, objectives and action plans for participants to work towards
• Arranging one-to-one support with specialist advisors, mentors, coaching and/or training to build basic skills and improve confidence levels in preparation for work
• Supporting participants to develop CVs, job applications, job searches, interview skills and the ability to travel independently
• Arranging financial management advice including welfare benefits to support the move into employment
• Identifying a range of role models to offer peer support and share their experiences, provide mentoring and champion what is achievable
• Developing partnerships with community groups to provide awareness sessions on activities and support available.
• Signposting individuals to agencies and community forums to raise awareness of support services and entitlements
• Providing a peer challenge when necessary by sharing their own story in an appropriate and professional manner, giving an opportunity for individuals to reflect on their abilities and think twice about what is achievable with independent disability advice
• Raising awareness and supporting individuals to use Access to Work services
Working with local employers, the CES will:
• Develop and build links with local employers to up-skill employers in disability and mental health issues, including awareness of reasonable adjustments, Access to Work and Disability Confident
• Secure job tasters, work placements or volunteering opportunities for participants to enable them to gain work experience. Up-skill employers in the benefits of employing disabled people (as per the Social Value Act) to reduce myths and concerns about employing disabled people and those with mental health problems
General Duties:
• Attend and participate in regular staff, Project Lead and team meetings.
• Attend appropriate training courses where identified, regular work appraisals and any other support systems as appropriate.
• Comply with, and actively promote, all Twining policies and procedures including Equality and Diversity, Safeguarding and Data Protection.
• Perform any general duties as may be reasonably required
Person Specification
Attitudes
• Positive, professional and self-motivated
• Empathetic and person centred
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity
• Open to feedback and actively addresses self-development needs
Skills, Ability and Knowledge
• Understanding of the support needs of people with disabilities in returning to/retaining mainstream employment
• experience of delivering group training/facilitating group sessions
• Strong needs assessment and action planning skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (face to face, by telephone and in writing)
• Confident presenting to employers, teams of health professionals and community groups
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills
• Competent in record keeping, administration and the main Microsoft Office packages
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Good problem solving skills
• Ability to travel throughout the local and wider London area.
• Willing to work flexibly in response to client need, including occasional out- of-hours
Desirable Knowledge and experience
• experience of delivering advice and support services to both groups and individuals
• experience of supporting people with disabilities into employment
• Understanding of the social model of disability and a passion for social justice.
• Working knowledge of employment law and the Equality Act 2010
• Knowledge of and commitment to relevant policies, procedures and standards e.g. Health and Safety, Confidentiality (Data Protection), Equality and Diversity and Sustainability.
• Lived experience of mental health issues and/or disabilities
Other Requirements This post will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. Ability to travel around London and Greater London as required.
Responsible to / Supervised by: Operations Manager- South
Contract: 1 year (temporary)
£14,583 (£25,000 pro-rata)
To apply: please visit the 'Work for us' section of our website.