Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Employment Advisor

The closing date is 23 September 2025

Job summary

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives? Do you share our values of compassion, empathy, and expertise? If so, we want to hear from you! We are seeking dedicated professionals to join our rural Employment team and help empower our patients to achieve their employment goals.

Position: Fulltime- Fixed term 12 months

Our Employment Advisors work alongside the service providing dedicated employment support for people looking to return to work or to retain their current employment.

This is a cutting-edge opportunity to create a culture of prevention and early intervention, to make sure that people get timely access to mental health support as well as suitable employment advice so that they are supported to avoid long-term unemployment. The post holder will be working towards supporting those with mental health problems helping them to remain in, return to and gain employment.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Main duties of the job

The role will involve working with a caseload of patients. Assessing their employment needs and goals. Working alongside our clinical colleagues to provide tailored, individual employment advice.

You will be working with Jobcentre Plus, employers, third sector organisations and employment agencies to keep people in employment and secure employment opportunities.

The successful candidate will be working within an a established team. They have a diverse background including; administration, career advice, coaching, human resources, finance, management, nursing, teaching and self-employment.

The training and service experience available will equip the post holder with the necessary knowledge, attitude, and capabilities to operate effectively in an inclusive, value driven service.

While there will be opportunities for hybrid working, the post holder is expected to attend our office in Wimborne on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Although most of our work is conducted over the telephone, there may be occasions when face-to-face meetings with patients across Dorset are required.

The candidate must own or have access to a car and be willing and able to drive across rural Dorset.

As many of our clients are in work during the day, the post holder will be required to work one evening per week, from 12 pm to 8 pm.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

09 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year p.a.

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

152-M226.25A

Job locations

Oakcroft

42 Gravel Hill

Wimborne

BH21 1RR


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Customer service NVQ level 3 minimum or equivalent / RSA II / III
  • Evidence of further study in vocational training, careers advice, job retention and presenteeism

Desirable

  • Evidence of a good customer service background

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of providing vocational/employment support.

Desirable

  • Experience of supporting people with MH conditions into vocational/employment activities
  • Experience of working in a service where agreed targets are in place, demonstrating specific outcomes
  • Experience of assessing, planning and facilitating activities that focus on recovery and vocational skills.
  • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Basic counselling skills
  • Vocational assessment and profiling
  • Effective written and oral communication skills
  • Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of community resources
  • Knowledge of employment law and the Equality Act 2010.
  • Knowledge of evidence based interventions to support people with common MH problems remain in, return to & gain work

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
  • Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Desirable

  • Willingness to travel to other locations throughout the organisation
Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Customer service NVQ level 3 minimum or equivalent / RSA II / III
  • Evidence of further study in vocational training, careers advice, job retention and presenteeism

Desirable

  • Evidence of a good customer service background

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of providing vocational/employment support.

Desirable

  • Experience of supporting people with MH conditions into vocational/employment activities
  • Experience of working in a service where agreed targets are in place, demonstrating specific outcomes
  • Experience of assessing, planning and facilitating activities that focus on recovery and vocational skills.
  • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Basic counselling skills
  • Vocational assessment and profiling
  • Effective written and oral communication skills
  • Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of community resources
  • Knowledge of employment law and the Equality Act 2010.
  • Knowledge of evidence based interventions to support people with common MH problems remain in, return to & gain work

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
  • Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Desirable

  • Willingness to travel to other locations throughout the organisation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Oakcroft

42 Gravel Hill

Wimborne

BH21 1RR


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Oakcroft

42 Gravel Hill

Wimborne

BH21 1RR


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Employment Advisor

Rachael Quick

Rachael.quick@nhs.net

01305751399

Details

Date posted

09 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year p.a.

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

152-M226.25A

Job locations

Oakcroft

42 Gravel Hill

Wimborne

BH21 1RR


Supporting documents

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