Senior Employment Officer

Senior Employment Officer

Salary:
£33,481 Hours: 35 per week

Location:
Manchester Foundation Trust, Oxford Road (with travel across Greater Manchester) Additional: Must be a driver with access to a car for business use *We promote flexible working patterns and work-life balance. Working patterns can be agreed with the right candidate based on their preference and business needs.
* Role Purpose: While you will support young people, the core of this role is targeted employer engagement, securing placements and paid employment outcomes rather than personal care or support‑worker duties. As a Senior Employment Officer, you will lead the delivery of the Supported Internship programme, working in partnership with a college and a host employer. Your primary focus will be securing work placements in line with the young person’s skills, qualities and aspirations through effective employer engagement, developing employability skills and securing paid employment outcomes for young people with learning disabilities / difficulties. You will act as the supported employment specialist on site, building strong relationships with managers and teams across the host and wider employer network. You will identify, shape, and develop meaningful job roles, support employers with inclusive recruitment, and provide professional workplace support to ensure placements are successful and sustainable. A key part of the role is achieving ambitious employment outcome targets for the Supported Internship cohort. You will be responsible for driving progress toward these targets by developing high‑quality placements, monitoring student progress, and ensuring each rotation builds the skills and confidence needed for paid work. Alongside this employer‑facing work, you will support a cohort of 10 students through three term time workplace rotations, working collaboratively with a college tutor, families, and external partners. You may also line‑manage Employment Officers and Job Coaches within the Supported Employment Team. This is a fast‑paced, commercially aware, community‑based role requiring resilience, initiative, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently across multiple sites.

Responsibilities:
Employer Engagement and Inclusive Recruitment (Primary Focus)
· Use a range of sales, marketing, and engagement skills to identify suitable placement and employment opportunities.
· Build strong, proactive relationships with key stakeholders and decision‑makers within the host employer and wider employer network.
· Promote Pure Innovations supported employment model to ensure employers understand how to successfully include and support a diverse workforce.
· Challenge traditional recruitment and selection methods by developing creative, person‑centred alternatives.
· Plan, coordinate, and deliver training to employers to build awareness of disability inclusion, workplace adjustments, and best practice.
· Provide ongoing support to employers, troubleshooting issues quickly and professionally to maintain positive relationships and sustain placements. Project Management & Programme Leadership
- Plan and prioritise activities to meet departmental goals, contractual requirements, and employment outcome targets.
- Work collaboratively with the host employer, college tutor, and other partners to ensure high‑quality programme delivery.
- Attend meetings, conferences, and events to promote Pure Innovations and the Supported Internship model.
- Liaise with other Supported Internship sites to share best practice and evaluate service delivery.
· Plan and prioritise activities to meet departmental goals, contractual requirements, and employment outcome targets. Project Caseload
· Complete initial visits, assessments, and one‑page profiles for each student.
· Use Pure Innovations’ assessment tools to evaluate skills and identify suitable placement matches.
· Create person‑centred vocational profiles and accessible resources tailored to individual needs (e.g., visual aids, task breakdowns).
· Meet regularly with families, schools, and college staff to review progress and address concerns.
· Support parents and carers with benefit changes related to paid employment.
· Ensure each rotation builds toward the goal of securing paid employment. Quality Assurance & Administration
· Ensure accurate and timely completion of all documentation, including weekly reports, risk assessments, employer records, and student progress notes.
· Maintain GDPR compliance and uphold confidentiality at all times.
· Produce high‑quality reports, presentations, and statistical data for managers, contractors, and funders.
· Ensure effective lone working and remote working practices, including use of Outlook calendars and duty cover procedures.
· Deliver presentations and support team members to develop their presentation skills.
· Implement and monitor the Supported Internship Quality Assurance Framework (SIQAF) across the programme, ensuring all elements are completed to a high standard and used to drive continuous improvement.
· Contribute to SIQAF reviews, audits, and action planning, ensuring the programme meets or exceeds quality benchmarks set by Pure Innovations and external partners. Teamwork & Line Management
· Act as a role model for best practice, supporting colleagues and sharing expertise in supported employment.
· Assist the Team Manager in chairing meetings, delivering training, and driving service improvements.
· Provide cover for the Team Manager and colleagues when required.
· Support the setup of new Supported Internship sites or transition projects.
· Line‑manage Employment Officers and Job Coaches, including:
- supervision and coaching
- performance management
- observations and quality checks
- induction and training
- setting objectives and completing appraisals Policies
· Uphold, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures identified by Pure Innovations Ltd
· Any other duties as required by the Management Team Person Specification Education and Qualification Essential Desirable Qualifications and training
· A positive commitment to further training and self-development. Experience
· Proven experience in employer engagement, recruitment, employability, business development, or securing paid employment outcomes.
· Experience working to targets, KPIs, or measurable outcomes.
· Demonstrable track record of achieving strong outcomes in a previous role (e.g., employment, education, community support).
· Experience working independently in community‑based settings.
· Experience building relationships with external.
· partners, employers, or professionals.
· Experience delivering employment outcomes or supporting people into paid work.
· Experience improving systems or processes, ideally using recognised project management approaches.
· Supervisory or line‑management experience.
· Experience coordinating multi‑agency meetings or facilitating group sessions.
· Experience working within Supported Internships or similar transition programmes.
· Knowledge of workplace adjustments, inclusive recruitment, and employer engagement strategies.
· Awareness of SIQAF (Supported Internship Quality Assurance Framework) or similar quality frameworks.
· Experience supporting people with learning difficulties. Knowledge
· Understanding of inclusion, equality, and anti‑discriminatory practice.
· Awareness of the principles of supported employment and person‑centred planning.
· Understanding of the challenges faced by young people with learning difficulties entering employment.
· Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities for young people and vulnerable adults. Skills Strong employer‑engagement skills, including confidence speaking to managers and decision‑makers.
- Ability to build positive relationships with employers, families, and partner organisations.
- Excellent communication skills — written, verbal, and presentation.
- Ability to work independently, manage a varied workload, and make sound decisions without close supervision.
- Strong organisational skills, including accurate record‑keeping and report writing.
- Ability to stay calm under pressure and manage challenging situations professionally.
- Creative problem‑solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly when plans change.
- Competent IT skills (Microsoft Office, digital record systems, remote working tools) Personal qualities
· Self‑motivated, proactive, and able to work with minimal supervision.
· Resilient, emotionally intelligent, and able to maintain professional boundaries.
· Enthusiastic, energetic, and committed to achieving employment outcomes.
· Flexible and adaptable — able to respond to changing needs and priorities.
· Strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.
· Professional appearance and conduct.
· Full driving licence and willingness to travel across Greater Manchester. Why Join us?
- Rewarding career pathways and progression opportunities with an award-winning organisation, which puts people first (not profits).
- Full Induction, training & Development programmes.
- Leadership development program recognised by Chartered Management Institute.
- Flexible

working hours
(subject to the needs of the service).
- 22 days holiday rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service (pro rata for part-time staff) + Bank Holidays.
- Health Benefits including Simply Health cover, dental treatment plan cover or gym membership up to £200 per year. (after completion of probationary period).
- Bonus birthday holiday after 5 years’ service.
- Company events and fun days out.
- Discount at Catering Outlets and Pure Innovation products on Etsy.
- Employee Assistance Programme
- 24-hour helpline for support and advice.
- Nest pension Scheme-salary sacrifice basis. Pure also makes a % contribution to the scheme.
- Mental Health at work first aiders to offer guidance and Support when required.
- Refer a friend recruitment scheme. Pure Innovations is an equal-opportunity employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support with the recruitment process, please email Recruitment@Pureinnovations.co.uk or call us on 0161 804 4400. Pay: £33,481.00 per year

Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring programme
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Referral programme
- Sick pay Application question(s):
- Do you have any experience in employability? If so please summarise:
- Do you have experience or knowledge of working with disadvantaged people or people with a disability? If yes, please provide an explanation.
- Interviews will be conducted on 6th October at our head office in Stockport. Are you available on 6th October? Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required) Work

Location:
In person