Overview
Our Benefits
You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council.
About the role
We’re looking for a motivated Employment Support Officer to help refugees and people on government resettlement schemes take confident steps into sustainable employment.
As part of the South Midlands Connect to Work programme, you will contribute to a region‑wide initiative delivering personalised, one‑to‑one employment support for people who face barriers to work. Connect to Work forms part of the Government’s wider strategy to link work, health and skills support through a high‑fidelity supported employment model, ensuring people with complex barriers receive the tailored guidance they need to thrive.
Working within the Resettlement team, you’ll manage a diverse caseload, delivering one‑to‑one employability support, identifying strengths, and helping individuals overcome practical barriers. You’ll connect people with training, local services, inclusive employers, and opportunities that support their journey into work. You’ll offer tailored guidance on CVs, applications, interviews, and the transition from benefits into employment.
Building relationships and working closely with employers and partners across West Northamptonshire, you’ll be part of a collaborative network committed to helping residents build confidence, independence and long‑term stability. Every day, you’ll play a meaningful role in empowering people to rebuild their futures and thrive in our community.
Interviews will be in Northampton on Tuesday 3rd March 2026.
What will you be doing?
In this role, you’ll provide personalised, one‑to‑one support to refugees and individuals on resettlement schemes, helping them gain the confidence, skills and opportunities they need to move into work.
You will:
- Manage a diverse caseload, getting to know each person’s skills, aspirations and barriers, and developing tailored vocational plans that support their journey into employment.
- Deliver practical employability support – from CV development and job search guidance to interview preparation, job coaching and in‑work support.
- Provide informed welfare and “better‑off” advice, helping people understand their benefits, entitlements and the transition from welfare into paid work.
- Connect individuals with local training, skills courses and community services, ensuring they have access to the right support at the right time.
- Build strong partnerships with employers, identifying suitable job opportunities, facilitating introductions and ensuring employers can confidently support participants in the workplace.
- Work closely with internal colleagues and external agencies, including Jobcentre Plus, education providers, health teams and community organisations, to create a coordinated support pathway.
- Track progress and maintain accurate records, producing concise action plans, updates and reports to ensure high‑quality, person‑centred support.
- Champion inclusion and early‑help intervention, helping individuals overcome challenges such as language barriers, low confidence, trauma, social isolation or gaps in work history.
This is a hands‑on, highly rewarding role where every day you’ll be making a tangible difference – supporting people to rebuild stability, independence and a sense of belonging through employment.
About you
You’ll be someone who is passionate about helping people overcome barriers and build brighter futures. You thrive in a role where no two days are the same, and you’re driven by the impact you can make in people’s lives. Compassion, resilience and a belief in the potential of every individual are absolutely key.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Builds trust quickly and communicates with warmth, clarity and confidence – even when supporting people who may be anxious, newly arrived in the UK or facing multiple challenges.
- Is highly organised and able to manage a busy caseload while maintaining excellent service and accurate records.
- Understands the barriers people can face when entering the labour market, especially refugees, people with disabilities, trauma histories, or those unfamiliar with UK systems.
- Offers constructive, practical employability support, from discussing career goals to coaching someone through interviews or advocating with employers.
- Is solution‑focused and calm under pressure, able to adapt plans and think creatively to help someone move forward.
- Works confidently with partners, whether that’s employers, Jobcentre Plus, training providers, community groups or internal council teams.
Experience in employability, resettlement, social care, community work or similar people‑focused roles would definitely be an advantage – but above all, we’re looking for someone with empathy, drive and the ability to bring out the best in others.
About us
We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government
reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey
to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and
communities.
Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great
place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to
make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance,
Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver
services.
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with
ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail,
and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A
place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-
minded people.
When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.
Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and
challenges you in a positive way, every day.
West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
