Social Enterprise Kent has established itself as one of the main social enterprise bodies in Kent, giving advice to many charities and budding enterprises, and running training and employment services. We are a passionate believer in the power of social enterprise to effect positive change in our communities, and the importance of partnership working in all sectors.

Social Enterprise Kent is delivering the Folkestone Community Works programme ‘Working Together’ from 2019 to 2022. The Folkestone Community Works programme is part-funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 and is managed by Folkestone and Hythe District Council. The project is focusing on the position of unemployed people in some of the most deprived areas of Folkestone, providing a suite of support interventions that will help them achieve positive changes, and to move into a positive outcome (eg. employment/self-employment, further education or training). The project has a specific focus on working with participants who are furthest away from the labour market, including those who are economically inactive.

We welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds. People who have personal experience of some of the issues we are trying to address in Social Enterprise Kent would be especially welcomed to apply.

Responsible to: Programme Manager, Working Together, Social Enterprise Kent (SEK)
Fixed Term: Full time, for 3 years commencing 2019 until 31st January 2022
Salary: £21,000
Location: Folkestone

Purpose:

Employment Support Advisers will be responsible for building and supporting a caseload of participants in Folkestone. You will be responsible for working with your caseload of participants, provide them with an individualised support provision according to their needs, to help them move into a sustainable, positive outcome.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will have experience of delivering client-facing services and of working with unemployed, disadvantaged community members, to help them move into employment, training or education. They must demonstrate an understanding of the issues faced by unemployed people when attempting to re-enter the labour market, and will be able to work with clients to overcome these barriers and move into positive outcome. They must also demonstrate an enthusiasm and commitment to working with the projects target audience, and to deliver a responsive, high quality service that places the participant at the heart of all interventions.

Context of the ‘Working Together’ and ESIF funding:
‘Working Together’ is a 3 year project which aims to help unemployed people in Folkestone gain meaningful employment and realise positive change in their circumstances. The project is part-funded by the European Structural and Investment Fund and is managed by Folkestone and Hythe District Council
Employment Support

Delivery of a high quality, client focused, personalised, employment focused coaching and support provision. Through the provision of detailed assessments conducted with each participant, individual action plans will be created which outline participants aspirations and detail how they will achieve their goals. Participants will be able to access employability training and workshops, job clubs, and will be signposted to vocational training (accredited where appropriate).
Encourage Self-Employment

The ‘Working Together’ project recognises that self-employment and business support functions will be attractive to some of the project participants.
Employment Support Advisers will be responsible for openly encouraging self-employment opportunities wherever appropriate. Social Enterprise Kent offer an extensive suite of training to support business start ups. Participants will be able to access free training courses to support entrepreneurial activity.
Other Tasks
• Ensure that you comply with Equal Opportunities legislation at all times, and that you actively promote positive E&D activities and messages throughout the project, including all cross-cutting themes of Equality and Sustainability.
• Ensure that you comply with the Data Protection Act 1998/General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• Actively promote the project on social media and at community events.
• Other reasonable activities as requested.

Please note: This position will require a lot of travel around Folkestone. Whilst a driving license and access to your own vehicle is desirable, this is not essential so long as candidates are able to get to all areas of Folkestone to meet participants, attend networking events etc.
This position is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

To apply, please submit your CV to e.woodward@sekgroup.org.uk. Please also complete and submit an Equal and Diversity monitoring form which can be found on our website https://sekgroup.org.uk/jobs-sek/ with your application.

Closing date for applications: 4th June 2019.

Qualifications
• Good levels of English and Maths
• IT skills including Word, email, Internet Explorer, media packages and social media
• Employment Support Qualification/ Accreditation

Experience
• Experience of delivering client-facing, service led provision
• Experience of working with clients to help them move into a positive outcome (eg. employment, training or education)
• An understanding of the issues facing deprived communities
• Awareness and understanding of equal opportunities and the ability to translate these into effective action
• Experience of working with external partners and stakeholders to provide effective signposting and referral routes for clients


Experience of working or volunteering in Folkestone or Kent..
• Experience of working with unemployed/disadvantaged people
• Expertise in delivering employment related outcomes
• Knowledge of health and safety, safeguarding and confidentiality processes

Skills and Abilities
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• An ability to build and sustain relationships with clients/ participants
• Good planning and organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge/ understanding of working in ESF funded projects
• Experience of working in public sector funded environment

Knowledge
• An understanding and appreciation of the role of the VCSE sector
• Ability to maintain up to date records, as required by the funder
• Knowledge/ understanding of working in ESF funded projects
• Experience of working in public sector funded environment

Personal Qualities
• Ability to show empathy
• Community spirited
• Supportive of individuals and colleagues
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing needs
• Good attention to detail
• Can do attitude/proactive
• Work on own initiative
• Innovative and the ability to think outside of the box