Employment & Skills Advisor

Job Description

Employment & Skills Advisor – Supported Employment
Leeds City Council

• Salary: £37,280 – £39,152 (SO2 grade)
• Hours: 37 per week (full-time)
• Contract: Permanent
• Location: Leeds-based with hybrid/home working options
• Reference: REQ004202
• Posted: 13 November 2025

Are you motivated by helping people overcome big challenges to build a rewarding career? Do you have a knack for personalised support and a real understanding of what it takes to help someone thrive in work?

We are ooking for a dedicated Employment & Skills Advisor to join our Supported Employment team at Leeds City Council. In this rewarding role, you’ll guide some of the city’s most disadvantaged residents people facing significant hurdles—toward stable, meaningful jobs. You’ll design customised pathways that blend learning, workplace trials, and ongoing coaching to match their goals, strengths, and needs.

This work directly supports Leeds’ commitment to inclusive growth building an economy that benefits everyone and aligns with the UK government’s national priority to drive sustainable economic growth through better jobs and opportunities for all. (Find out more about the government’s economic growth mission here.)

Your day-to-day will involve:

• Carrying a caseload of clients, carrying out vocational assessments, and creating tailored employment plans that highlight strengths while addressing barriers head-on.
• Providing hands-on coaching to build confidence, resilience, and independence—while sensitively managing expectations for clients and their families.
• Building strong relationships with employers to open doors, identify reasonable adjustments or assistive tools, and create inclusive opportunities.
• Collaborating with training providers, Jobshops, community organisations, schools, and other professionals to expand options and networks.
• Keeping detailed, accurate records, meeting quality standards, contractual targets, and data protection rules.
• Monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, and contributing ideas to improve our programmes through reviews and groups.
• Managing your time effectively, assessing risks, and prioritising safety for yourself and clients.

This role sits within the Leeds Employment Hub and our wider Employment & Skills Service. You’ll work as part of a supportive team delivering targeted help to create a healthier, greener, fairer economy where everyone has a chance to succeed.

What You will Bring

Essential qualifications & experience

• At least a Level 3 Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) qualification.
• Proven track record of managing caseloads and helping people achieve real, positive employment or learning results.
• Strong understanding of different job-search methods and current Leeds labour market trends, including growing sectors.
• Deep insight into common barriers to work and learning and practical ways to overcome them.
• Experience assessing individual needs, delivering flexible support, and partnering with diverse stakeholders (employers, educators, community groups).
• Comfortable working in varied community settings and promoting services effectively.

Key skills & knowledge

• Ability to hit targets while delivering high-quality, person-centred support.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation, and time management.
• Awareness of Leeds’ Inclusive Growth agenda and the city’s diverse communities.
• Commitment to equality, anti-discriminatory practice, and continuous improvement.

Desirable (nice-to-have)

• Experience or knowledge of supported employment models (e.g., high-fidelity approaches like those in the government’s Connect to Work programme learn more here).
• Additional qualifications such as Level 3 Certificate for Supported Employment Practitioners.
• Ability to communicate in languages commonly spoken in Leeds’ multicultural communities.

What we offer in return

• A competitive salary plus generous annual leave and bank holidays.
• Membership in the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with strong employer contributions.
• Flexible/hybrid working (balancing service needs).
  Clear development paths, ongoing training, and professional growth opportunities.
• A range of wellbeing perks and financial benefits to support you.

Leeds City Council is a major employer with over 14,000 staff, and we’re proud to foster a workplace that reflects our values: openness, fairness, and a drive to make Leeds the best city it can be.

We actively welcome applications from everyone and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups including women, carers, veterans, LGBT+ individuals, people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, disabled people, and those with care experience—to apply.

How to Apply

Submit your application via our online form. For tips on completing it effectively, check our application guidance on the Leeds Jobs site.

Successful candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (appropriate to children’s or adults’ barred list). We follow our policy on recruiting ex-offenders.

This role requires the right to work in the UK. If you’re applying from outside the UK or need sponsorship, review Skilled Worker visa eligibility rules (standard salary threshold often starts at £41,700 or equivalent criteria).

Ready to make a real difference in people’s lives while contributing to a more inclusive Leeds? We’d love to hear from you.

Apply now through the Leeds City Council jobs portal.