Overview
Steps to Employment Project (StEP) is a National Lottery Community Fund supported programme that builds on the success of our previous Inclusive Volunteering Project. The StEP supports individuals as volunteers in ECHO projects, and identifies volunteering, work experience and employment opportunities outside of ECHO for a diverse range of beneficiaries. This includes ECHO participants, supported volunteers and people from local communities who have a disability.
We are seeking to appoint a job share position for an experienced, motivated and proactive individual to the Steps to Employment Project as an Outreach Officer, to work collaboratively with the Volunteer Manager, existing Outreach Officer and Volunteer Coordinator of the StEP.
The Outreach Officer is tasked with actively recruiting StEP beneficiaries in creative ways. They will prepare the beneficiary for their placement through a series of individual and group training sessions and workshops including upskilling in IT, literacy, numeracy, work skills and the social and emotional challenges of being in a professional workplace. They will also work closely with the Department of Work and Pensions to minimise or negate loss of benefit where applicable.
Through networking, the Outreach Officer will establish, build and strengthen new and existing partnerships with local organisations and companies. This will consolidate the volunteering and employment support network across the county and break down barriers and challenge preconceptions of disability and employment. Liaising with host companies they will guide on implementing reasonable adjustments in the workplace for beneficiaries where required. They will offer training around being a disability confident employer, ensuring each beneficiary has a bespoke opportunity, tailored to their skills, interests, talents and support needs.
It is a part time appointment of 18 hours per week. Hours to be spread between 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday (working pattern open to negotiation). This will be based in Leominster with travel to our ECHO projects in Leominster and Hereford required. However, on occasion the Outreach Officer will need to work outside of these times, which may include evenings or weekends.
Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 29th October 2025. Salary: £26,550 (£12,744 pro rata). Closing Date: Monday 20th October 2025 at 9am. Hours: 18 hours per week.
Responsibilities
* Actively recruit StEP beneficiaries in creative ways.
* Prepare beneficiaries for placement through training sessions and workshops (IT, literacy, numeracy, work skills, social and emotional aspects of professional work).
* Collaborate with the Department of Work and Pensions to minimise or negate loss of benefits where applicable.
* Network to establish, build and strengthen partnerships with local organisations and companies.
* Develop and maintain a disability confident employer program; guide on reasonable workplace adjustments.
* Ensure each beneficiary has a bespoke opportunity aligned with their skills, interests, talents and support needs.
Qualifications and Experience
* Ideally experience of supporting disabled people either professionally or in a personal capacity; commitment to this area of work or experience with other vulnerable groups will be considered.
* Experience in outreach, partnership development, or employment support is preferred.
About Us
ECHO is a charity primarily working with people with moderate or severe learning difficulties, and also supports people with mental health needs or physical or sensory impairments. ECHO runs 30 different activities weekly in community settings across Herefordshire and is committed to providing services that promote choice, rights and independence for people with disabilities. We involve and inform people with disabilities about the services we provide.
Location and Schedule
Based in Leominster with travel to ECHO projects in Leominster and Hereford; some evenings or weekends may be required. Part-time, 18 hours per week, Monday to Friday (working pattern negotiable).
Additional Information
* Job type: Part-time
* Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
* Job function: Other
* Industries: Business Consulting and Services
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