Employment Specialist

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Employment Specialist (Fixed Term) – North Yorkshire Horizons

Location: 7 North Park Road, Harrogate, HG1 5PD with some travel expected to cover other areas.
Working Hours: 20 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed Term until March 2026
Salary: £25,110 - £32,090 per annum (pro rata)

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier and more independent lives?

Join Waythrough, one of the UK’s leading mental health and social support charities, and make a lasting impact every day.

We support over 125,000 people each year through our 200 services, empowering individuals to overcome challenges around mental health, housing, and substance use.

About the Role

We are currently looking for an Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist to join our team for Harrogate. This role is initially till March 2026, with a view of this being extended

The IPS team aims to increase the number of people moving into employment from the specialist drug and alcohol services. Employment specialist roles will be co-located within these teams working closely alongside recovery service staff to support a small caseload of service users into employment opportunities.

This is a very interesting, varied and rewarding role. A driving licence would be beneficial but not essential, but the successful candidate would be working across Harrogate and surrounding areas according to the requirements of the role. IT equipment and a mobile phone would be provided and be carried on their person to the different locations.

An Employment Specialist offers a bespoke employment service to the individual accessing recovery at North Yorkshire Horizons which includes, career coaching, CV writing, interview techniques, making links with local and national employers, attending job fairs, working across different sites and some community working. To help and support the individual to quickly gain employment as part of their recovery journey.

What You’ll Do

• To build partnerships with employers to identify a sustained pipeline of job opportunities and to understand local employer needs in order to bring on board new employment opportunities for people on our programmes.
• You will work with clients (managing a caseload of maximum 25) who have substance use support needs, assist them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences.
• You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach (for which training will be given); providing person centred advice and guidance to clients, whilst building positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into suitable employment.
• You will work as part of a Substance use treatment team North Yorkshire Horizons, maintaining positive and integrated relationships, fostering a holistic approach to recovery through employment.
• Actively promote our clients as potential employees and raise awareness of the service.

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:

We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with all kinds of life experience, but here’s what we’d like you to have:

• Positive attitude
• Flexible
• Empathetic
• Proactive
• Be enthusiastic towards challenges and be able to motivate others
• Any knowledge of drugs, alcohol, working with ex-offenders, the benefits system or disadvantaged people would be an advantage.
• Experience of managing a caseload.
• Excellent communication, both written and verbally.
• A passion for making a difference to peoples’ lives.
• A valid driving licence and have access to your own vehicle, is not essential for this role but it is preferred due to required travel across Harrogate.

To view the full job description and person specification, please click here.
Please be advised, if you are viewing this role on Indeed, the link to the job description will not work. Please click the 'Apply via Company Website' button to be redirected to our careers page, where you will be able to view the job description in full.

The salary advertised above demonstrates the full earning potential for this role, starting salaries will allow for pay progression within the pay band.

About Waythrough

Formed in 2024 through the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship, Waythrough is now one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

With 3,500 staff and volunteers across more than 200 services, we help people to live full, meaningful lives.

Some roles may still appear under our legacy brands (Humankind, Richmond Fellowship, Aquarius) while we complete our integration — but wherever you join us, you’ll be part of one supportive team, sharing one purpose.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and Accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities — especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk.

How to Apply

If you’re viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed, please click ‘Apply via Company Website’ to view the full job description and submit your application.

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.