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Employment Specialist

Location: Centre for Change 81-88 Whinney Hill, Durham DH1 3BQ
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed term till March 2026

Salary:£25,110-£32,090

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.

About the Role

• Actively promote our clients as potential employees and raise awareness of the service. Promote the ethos of our programmes and Waythrough and encourage employers to look positively on our clients as potential applicants.

“As a Employment Specialist you will 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.

What You’ll Do

• Work directly with individuals experiencing substance abuse challenges to support them into sustainable employment.
• Build strong partnerships with employers across County Durham.
• Provide personalised, strengths-based employment support.
• Collaborate closely with clinical teams to deliver high-quality IPS practice.

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:

• A motivated, people-focused professional who is confident building relationships.
• Someone who believes in the power of employment to transform lives.
• Strong organisational skills and a solution-focused mindset.
• Experience in employment support, recruitment, or a similar role is advantageous, but passion and commitment matter most.

To view the full job description please click here

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

We’re in the process of integrating systems and processes across our newly merged organisation. That means some roles may still be branded ‘Humankind’ or appear on our partners’ job sites (such as Richmond Fellowship or Aquarius). This is a temporary step while we complete our transition.

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

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 [email protected].

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.