Employment Specialist - Thanet, Dover & Folkestone/Hythe

Employment Specialist - Thanet, Dover & Folkestone/Hythe
Location: Thanet
Salary: Up to £28,000 depending on experience
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Closing Date: 23rd June 2026
Looking for a role where you can genuinely change lives?
At The Forward Trust, we’re looking for compassionate, motivated Employment Specialists to join our Connect to Work team across Thanet, Dover and Folkestone / Hythe. This is a full-time role working 35 hours per week, although part-time or reduced hours will also be considered depending on business needs and service requirements.
If you enjoy helping people build confidence, overcome barriers and move towards a better future, this could be the perfect opportunity to make a real difference every day.
You’ll support people facing barriers to employment, including mental health challenges, long-term health conditions, disabilities and other life circumstances, helping them find meaningful work, sustain employment and progress towards greater independence.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll manage your own caseload and provide personalised support throughout each participant’s employment journey, including:
* CV writing, job applications and interview preparation
* Career coaching, confidence building and job searching
* Delivering one-to-one and group support sessions
* Building relationships with local employers and identifying opportunities
* Supporting inclusive workplaces and reasonable adjustments
* Providing in-work support to help people sustain and progress in employment
* Working closely with community organisations, health services and training providers to remove barriers and create joined-up support
Full IPS / Connect to Work training will be provided, along with ongoing development and support.
What we’re looking for
We’d love to hear from people with experience in:
* Employability or recruitment
* Health, wellbeing or support services
* Adult learning or skills programmes
* Coaching, mentoring or support work
You’ll also bring:
* Strong communication and relationship-building skills
* Confidence working with people from diverse backgrounds
* A positive, supportive and person-centred approach
* A genuine belief that everyone deserves access to employment opportunities
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential for this role.
For more than 25 years, The Forward Trust has helped people overcome challenges including addiction, offending and unemployment to build healthier, more stable futures.
We’re committed to creating a supportive, flexible and inclusive working environment where our people can thrive while making a genuine impact in the communities we serve.
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.
Diversity at Forward Trust
The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ‘Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness.
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