Supported Employment Referral Advisor (Part time 18.5 hrs per week) – Connect to Work programme
From 1 December 2025, our updated Pay and Reward package will take effect, introducing a new approach to recognising and rewarding roles across the Council. The salary for this role will be adjusted to a pay range of £30,024 to £33,143 (pro‑rata for part time). All new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band, reflecting our commitment to equity and aligned with the approach taken with existing staff during the transition. While the starting salary is fixed, the role offers excellent scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and the opportunity to be part of a forward‑thinking team.
We are delivering the Connect to Work programme – a dynamic, person‑centred employment support initiative designed to help individuals living in Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP). The programme is voluntary and helps people with disabilities, long‑term health conditions, mental ill health and other complex challenges secure and retain employment. Through personalised support and strong partnerships with local employers, we aim to empower people to overcome barriers and thrive in meaningful employment.
We’re building a passionate and dynamic team to deliver the Connect to Work programme across Dorset and BCP – and we’re currently recruiting for the Supported Employment Referral Adviser role. If you’re enthusiastic about helping people into meaningful employment and think you’ve got the skills, experience, or potential to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
In this role you will provide a welcoming front‑door triage service – offering information, advice, and guidance to help people make informed choices about employment, careers and training that align with their aspirations. You’ll signpost and refer individuals to the most appropriate support, including supported employment programmes, health and wellbeing services, and education provision. Applications are welcomed from people with lived experience. We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role. Part time working would be considered for this role.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide information, advice and support to adults and young adults, to ensure that they receive relevant and appropriate information to enable them to access suitable support and achieve positive outcomes.
* Provide excellent front‑of‑house customer service for anyone attending various information service areas and events across BCP and Dorset, ensuring that their needs are listened to, understood, and met in a respectful way.
* Support an effective admissions and onboarding service that aligns to Matrix quality standards for potential participants for supported employment or adult education programmes.
* Agree personalised action plans with individuals accessing the service.
* Manage interactions with customers in a professional manner, seeking to collaborate to find the best solution to their issue. This includes using empathy and diplomacy when dealing with contentious situations to lead to improved communications and more successful outcomes.
* Develop and maintain positive, productive relationships with current and new partners and external agencies to ensure the Service is always up to date, make recommendations to managers about gaps in provision and maximise work experience, employment and volunteering opportunities for customers.
* Make referrals and escalated issues to other services, agencies and organisations when required, to ensure the appropriate support and information is provided.
* Record all enquiries on the appropriate database in line with agreed processes and data protection protocols in order to gather feedback, produce reports and support the development of more effective ways of working.
* Maintain accurate records so that information is accessible and auditable.
* Provide information about participants to Employment Specialists so that customers only have to tell their story once.
* Provide feedback to improve processes and systems.
We would love to hear why you would be a great addition to our team – please use your personal statement to tell us why you’d be a great addition to our team, using the Job Description to support your application.
Benefits
From 1 December 2025 we’re proud to introduce a new Pay and Reward package, shaped through close collaboration with our trade union partners. The enhanced offer includes fair and transparent pay, modernised terms and conditions, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to attract and retain talented individuals. Whether it’s flexible working, wellbeing support, or opportunities for career progression, our new approach puts people first – we’re excited to welcome new colleagues into a Council that’s evolving to meet the needs of both our workforce and our communities.
About BCP Council
BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world‑renowned coastline. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world‑class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.
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