Job Coach

Buxton & Leek College

You will assist individuals in developing their workplace skills and achieving sustainable employment for their future. 

Job details

Responsible to

Supported Employment Lead

Location

Buxton & Leek College (Buxton/Leek Campus)

Closing date

Monday 24 February 2025

Salary

£27,280 to £29,634 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £34,090 per annum)

Job grade

ATOS 5

Reference

0004-25

Contract type

Fixed term contract 8 months

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

The High Needs department is dedicated to supporting students who face barriers in accessing education or achieving independence in the workplace. We collaborate with these students to empower them to become self-sufficient in their adult lives and to pursue sustainable employment opportunities. Our goal is to provide the necessary resources and guidance to help them navigate their unique challenges and thrive in their future endeavours.

Buxton & Leek College is looking for a dedicated Job Coach to provide workplace support for our Supported Internships and students with high needs in study programs within the High peak and Staffordshire area.  This is a highly rewarding role where you will assist individuals in developing their workplace skills and achieving sustainable employment for their future. 

Join us in making a positive impact!

Potential interview date - 10th March 

The ideal candidate should meet the following qualifications and requirements:

- A Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience that demonstrates a strong foundation in the relevant subject area. This may include vocational qualifications or professional certifications that showcase the candidate's expertise and ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

- A Level 2 qualification in literacy and numeracy, such as GCSE English and Maths at grades A*-C, which is essential to ensure effective communication and problem-solving skills in various contexts.

- Hold or be willing to undertake specific training in TSI (Training in Systematic Instruction). This training is crucial for developing effective instructional strategies tailored to the needs of diverse learners. Additionally, the candidate should be open to pursuing further training and professional development opportunities that may arise as part of their role, ensuring they stay current with best practices and methodologies in the field.

Overall, we seek a dedicated individual who is not only qualified but also enthusiastic about continuous learning and improvement in their professional journey.

  1. Interview learners, complete employment /job profiles, tutorials/1:1s, act as a key worker to a group of young people with learning difficulties / barriers to work and lead on tasks/projects as required.
  2. Prepare young people for employment, developing employability skills in the classroom, through small group sessions, on enterprise activities, 1:1 work, on work placements or in paid work, including apprenticeships.
  3. Develop creative and innovative ways of working with young people to engage, motivate, equip and progress them into the world of work.
  4. Build relationships with other providers and support agencies in holistically supporting young people.
  5. Working alongside Buxton and Leek College’s Work Experience and Job Coach Coordinator, actively help promote employment related projects and support on them where necessary.
  6. Build a relationship with and liaise with employers to find paid employment for young people with Learning Difficulties/barriers to work.
  7. Complete task analysis on prospective jobs, support young people when they start work and produce any support materials/adaptations required.
  8. Provide regular, on-going and easily accessible support for the employer and trouble shoot any potential problems.
  9. Develop and maintain an in-depth knowledge of the local job market to identify trends and opportunities for employment.
  10. Work towards given targets around caseloads of young people and in progressing them into paid employment, including apprenticeships.
  11. Maintain accurate records and assist in the preparation, collation, and presentation of statistical and other information, and to prepare reports.
  12. To comply with the requirements of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, Prevent, Health and Safety, Quality and other University policies including Equal Opportunities, Risk Management and Equality and Diversity.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

  • Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience
  • Level 2 qualification in literacy and numeracy (e.g. GCSE English and Maths at grade A*-C)
  • Hold or be willing to work towards Specific training in TSI (Training in Systematic Instruction), in addition to further training that may be required as part of the role

Experience

  • Experience of supporting young people in education/ workplace settings and experience of working with young people with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities including specific learning disorder (SLD) and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), implementing effective supportive strategies and adjustments
  • Experience of forming active relationships with employers, account management and progressing young people into paid work/apprenticeships through these
  • Experience of networking and forming links with other providers, support agencies and potential referral points

Skills, knowledge & abilities

  • Ability to support young people with their learning and work preparation including the development of support materials
  • Focused on the provision of excellent services to all young people.
  • Ability to use systems and technology to effectively and efficiently undertake the role
  • Solutions provider, focused on outcomes, self-motivated and able to work on own initiative
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to adapt communication to meet the needs of young people and to communicate effectively with employers
  • Ability to work towards deadlines, targets and be able to manage own work/diary
  • An inclusive approach to Individuals with differences
  • The skills to advocate for young people with additional needs

Business requirements

  • Completed DBS check with child barred list
  • Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between College and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner
  • Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
  • Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
  • Discounted onsite gym
  • Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • A flexible working environment
  • A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Vicky Marchington, Supported Employment Lead via v.marchington@blc.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit Applying from Overseas for more information.

 

DBS check

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

 

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.

We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.

When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.

The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.

However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.

 

A university that celebrates you

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2040.

 

Environment and sustainability

Don’t miss your chance – join the team and make a difference today!

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Further details

Download Job Coach job descriptionDownload Job Coach job description

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy.