Location: Medway
Salary: From £32,500 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent
About The Role
Are you ready to lead a passionate team and make a real difference in people’s lives?
We’re seeking a Senior Employment Specialist (Team Leader) to join our Connect to Work programme, supporting people with mental health conditions, disabilities, and long-term health challenges to find meaningful employment. This is a full-time role (35 hours per week), based in Medway and Gravesham.
Due to the nature of the role, all applicants must hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
In this pivotal role, you’ll:
Lead, coach, and supervise a team of IPS Employment Specialists, shaping best practice and driving performance.
Oversee a small caseload (10–15 clients) yourself, modelling high-quality support.
Ensure the service consistently meets IPS fidelity standards and delivers person-centred outcomes.
Build strong partnerships with local employers, NHS teams, colleges, and community organisations.
Coordinate employer engagement, uncovering open and hidden job markets.
Manage budgets, performance reporting, and compliance with organisational and contractual standards.
Facilitate training, peer learning, and professional development for your team.
We’re looking for someone with:
Recruitment, employability, or health-related experience, ideally with line management or supervisory responsibility.
Knowledge of IPS or supported employment services (training provided if needed).
Excellent coaching, communication, and organisational skills.
The ability to work collaboratively with clinical teams, employers, and community partners.
Lead a motivated team, shape service delivery, and transform the employability journey for people in your community. With opportunities for professional growth and real impact, this role is perfect for someone driven to make a difference.
Apply now and help people achieve meaningful work and independence!
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -
Flexible working
Training and development opportunities
Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
Season Ticket Loan Scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Crisis Loan Scheme
Electric Car Scheme
3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
Access to Blue Light Card
25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application
Salary description
£32500.00 - £32500.00 per year