As an Employment Specialist on our Connect to Work programme, you will support neurodivergent individuals and people with a learning disability to secure and sustain meaningful, paid employment.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exemptions) Order 1975 applies to this post. Disclosure and Barring Clearance is required prior to employment to this post.
You will manage your own caseload, working closely with each participant to understand their strengths, interests and aspirations. Following the Supported Employment Quality Framework model, you will provide personalised, structured support at every stage of their journey — from vocational profiling and job searching, to securing a paid role and delivering in-work support as they build confidence and independence.
A key part of this role is employer engagement. You will proactively build relationships with local businesses, promote inclusive recruitment practices and create well-matched opportunities that benefit both the participant and
the employer.
This is a community-based and varied role. You will spend time supporting participants in workplaces and local settings, working independently while also being part of a supportive wider team. Occasional meetings and
training will take place at our Battle and Hastings offices and at the farm in Beckley.
This is genuinely rewarding work. You will support people who may be entering paid employment for the first time, helping them to develop skills, confidence and long-term independence.
About you:
You believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to access meaningful employment and you are motivated by supporting people to achieve outcomes that can be life-changing.
You are confident managing a caseload and working towards clear employment outcomes and programme targets. You understand how to balance person-centred support with achieving measurable results, and you are organised in tracking progress, maintaining accurate records and meeting key performance indicators.
You are skilled at building positive, professional relationships — whether that’s supporting an individual to recognise their strengths, engaging with families, or working alongside employers to create inclusive opportunities.
You may have experience in supported employment, employability services, IPS, job coaching, social care or a related field. Most importantly, you bring resilience, initiative and a proactive approach, along with a genuine belief in the potential of the people you support.
Position reports to:
Head of Supported Employment
Staff who will report to this job title: N/A
Location: Your usual places of work will be at the Little Gate Supported Employment Office in Battle and at the workplaces of the trainees whom we support. However, your job duties include a requirement that you will travel away from these locations as may be required by the Charity for the proper performance of your duties. Other locations may include but are not limited to other offices or branches of the Charity, any agreed remote working location (which could include your home). Our services cover a wide geographical area across East Sussex.
Salary: £26,000 annually – 40 hours per week
Your usual hours of work will be 40 hours per week working core hours will be between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday however, days and hours of work may be variable to suit the business needs of the Charity and the needs of those you support. You may be asked to work outside of these hours and days (weekend, early morning and evening work) by mutual agreement with your line lead. In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to adjust or exceed your normal working hours in order to meet the requirements of your job.
Probationary period: 6 months
Holiday Entitlement: 5.6 weeks per annum (pro rata) inclusive of bank and public holidays
Contract type: Full time, permanent
Safeguarding requirements: All employees and volunteers and volunteers, regardless of their posts, share in the responsibility for protecting our work trainees, young rangers and students, keeping them safe from harm whilst they are attending Little
Gate and for reporting concerns about any person’s welfare and safety.
DBS requirements; Child and Adult Workforce, Enhanced with Barred list check
Main tasks of job:
• Manage a caseload of participants, delivering support in line with the Supported Employment Quality Framework.
• Complete vocational profiling and develop personalised action plans with clear, achievable goals.
• Support participants to overcome barriers to employment through practical advice, guidance and confidence-building support.
• Assist with job search, applications and interview preparation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers to identify inclusive job opportunities, including job carving where
appropriate.
• Conduct health and safety checks prior to placements.
• Set up and monitor work placements or paid roles, ensuring appropriate support for both participant and employer.
• Deliver structured in-work support, gradually reducing involvement as independence grows.
• Monitor progress against agreed employment outcomes and programme targets.
• Maintain accurate records to demonstrate impact and meet quality requirements.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, training providers and employers.
• Manage workload effectively and meet agreed deadlines.
The above is not an exhaustive list of duties, and different tasks may be required as necessitated by the changing role within the
organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.
Person Specification;
Essential Criteria;
• Experience supporting individuals to achieve progression goals (e.g. employment, training, independence or community outcomes).
• Ability to manage a caseload and work towards clear employment outcomes and programme targets.
• Experience developing action plans or support plans with measurable goals.
• Ability to build professional relationships with a range of stakeholders, including participants and external partners.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and use IT systems, including Microsoft Office 365.
• Have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes
• Willingness to undertake an enhanced DBS check.
• Commitment to inclusive employment, equality and diversity.
• Flexible, proactive and able to adapt to changing priorities.
Desirable Criteria;
• Experience delivering supported employment or structured employability programmes.
• Experience engaging employers and understanding recruitment processes.
• Experience working with neurodivergent individuals and/or people with learning disabilities.
• Training in Systematic Instruction or other supported employment methodologies.
• Knowledge of workplace health and safety and risk assessment processes.
• Awareness of welfare benefits or employment support systems.
Qualifications;
Strong Maths and English skills equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (Grade C) or above, demonstrated through qualifications, training, or
relevant experience.
Important Information
Application deadline: 22nd March 2026 (23:00 hrs)
Interview dates: Usually within two weeks of application deadline
To apply for this role please use this link Little Gate Application For Employment - Employment Specialist (ES Mar26) – Fill out form to fill out an application form.
Our Commitment
Little Gate is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Please see our application form for more information regarding guaranteed interviews for candidates choosing to share that they have a disability.
Our application and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
Little Gate implements safeguarding protocols in all aspects of their working practices and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
All successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced and barred DBS check, and this may include social media checks.
For further details please contact Sally Moseley via email at [email protected].
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exemptions) Order 1975 applies to this post. Disclosure and Barring Clearance is required prior to employment to this post. Please note, due to a high volume of applications, we are not always able to feedback if you have been deemed unsuccessful upon review. We apologise in advance should you not be contacted.
