Job Introduction
We’re recruiting an Employment Support Officer to join our Employment Support Service, part of Education Sufficiency, Access and Attendance.
You’ll play an important role in helping people with special educational needs or learning difficulties to build confidence, develop skills and move into paid work.
This role is rewarding and you’ll be supporting people directly in ways that make a real difference to their lives.
Our colleagues work across Milton Keynes, and you’ll be part of a team that’s dedicated, respectful and collaborative – the values that guide everything we do at Milton Keynes City Council. You’ll also be working within a service that believes in doing the right thing, acting as one council, and helping make our city a better place to live.
This is a site-based role
Interviews for this role will be held w/c 5 May
Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
- Lead and deliver employment, training and skills support to residents with SEND, helping them progress towards sustainable paid work.
- Provide tailored, structured employment support to each person, creating personalised plans based on their goals and needs.
- Build positive relationships with people using the service, offering ongoing coaching, motivation and guidance.
- Work with employers to create and maintain job opportunities, including job coaching and training in the workplace.
- Offer clear information on welfare benefits, income changes and transitions into employment so people can make informed choices.
- Keep accurate records, monitor progress and share information with colleagues and partners to support the best outcomes.
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified to NVQ Level three (or equivalent) in Information, Advice and Guidance, Supported Employment, or who has equivalent experience in employment support or recruitment.
- A confident communicator who can motivate, encourage and guide people into work, building strong and trusting relationships.
- Able to create effective interventions that help people overcome barriers and move towards their goals.
- Skilled at supporting people with SEND or learning difficulties in a sensitive and inclusive way.
- Knowledgeable about recruitment processes, local labour market trends and welfare benefits.
- Comfortable using databases, managing information securely and working with digital tools and social media.
- You’ll also work in a way that reflects our values: dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If you’re offered the position, we’ll ask for proof of your licence and vehicle insurance, including business use cover. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to confirm your appointment without these documents.
If you’re offered the role, we’ll arrange an Enhanced DBS check as part of our pre-employment process (unless you’re already registered with the DBS Update Service).
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
