Get Set for Impact That Matters.At Get Set UK, we ignite opportunity, build resilience, and create pathways to success for individuals and communities. Through specialist employability and mental health–informed services, we support people to move forward with confidence, purpose and dignity.We are now recruiting a Programme Lead for our Essex Work Ready service – a senior, values-led leader who will oversee the delivery of a high-impact contract supporting young adults aged 16–26 with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) across Greater Essex, including Southend and Thurrock.This is a role for someone who can combine strong operational leadership, partnership influence and performance accountability with compassion, trauma-informed practice and belief in young people’s potential.Your Impact As Programme Lead, you will have full operational responsibility for the Essex Work Ready contract, ensuring delivery is high quality, recovery-focused and outcomes-driven.You will lead a small, skilled team delivering personalised and intensive support to young adults who may be disengaged from education, employment and services – including those transitioning from CAMHS, known to Early Intervention Psychosis teams, ARMS services or recently discharged from inpatient mental health care.Your RoleYou will provide strategic and hands-on leadership across the contract, including:Leadership & People ManagementLine-manage 3–4 staff, which may include Employment Specialists, Support Workers, Engagement Advisors or similar rolesEnsure caseloads are appropriate, risk-managed and focused on high-quality participant outcomesBuild a culture of trust, accountability, safeguarding awareness and continuous improvementModel recovery-focused, person-centred practice and lead by exampleService Delivery & Contract ModelEnsure delivery of short-term, intensive, vocationally focused support for young adultsEnsure every participant has a personalised, goal-focused plan reflecting strengths, interests and aspirationsEmbed IPS-aligned principles, including voluntary participation, preference-based support, rapid job search and employer engagementEnsure delivery is flexible and takes place in the most appropriate settings, including community venues, youth settings and partner locationsReferral Growth & Partnership Development (Key Requirement)Build and maintain strong referral pathways with CAMHS, Secondary Mental Health Teams, Early Intervention Psychosis services, ARMS, youth services and community partnersEnsure referral processes operate smoothly and responsively across the countyWork collaboratively with clinicians and partner services to deliver coordinated, wraparound supportEnsure referral volumes support annual engagement targets (minimum 120 young adults per year)Commissioner & Stakeholder EngagementAct as the primary operational point of contact for Essex County Council commissionersAttend contract management meetings, reviews and performance discussionsPerformance Management & KPI DeliveryTake operational ownership for achieving contractual KPIs, including engagement, progression and sustained EET outcomesEnsure accurate, timely data entry and reporting to commissioner standardsUse MI and performance data to identify trends, risks and improvement actionsCo-Production & Youth VoiceEnsure the service is genuinely co-produced with young adultsImplement structured feedback, involvement and participation mechanismsEmpower young people to influence service delivery and continuous improvementWho we seek Experience managing or leading services within employability, youth, education or mental healthStrong ability to work to performance targets and KPIsExperience of multi-agency partnership workingUnderstanding or experience of IPS or vocational rehabilitation approachesProven ability to lead, motivate and develop staff in a high-compliance environmentStrong written and verbal communication skills, including commissioner reportingYou Share Our ValuesBe Ambitious - You’re determined, forward-thinking and always seeking improvementBe Inspiring - You support others to take ownership and raise standardsBe Proud - You celebrate high-quality work and positive outcomesBe Considerate - You collaborate inclusively with colleagues, partners and stakeholdersOwn It - You take accountability, lead with integrity, and follow through on what mattersWhy Join Get Set UK?Because you’ll be part of a mission-driven organisation that invests in your growth and celebrates your impact.You’ll get:Wellbeing support including GP, counselling and HeadspaceDiscounts, pension and salary sacrifice optionsEnhanced benefits with serviceA culture built on ambition, pride, ownership and supportReal opportunities for progressionWe are also a proud Disability Confident Employer. Adjustments are available at every stage.Ready to Apply?If you’re ready to use your quality leadership to make a meaningful difference – for learners, staff, and communities – we’d love to hear from you.Apply now and join a team where Every Word Matters, Every Action Counts, and Every Person Matters.See the Get Set story here: Learn more about working at Get Set here: We reserve the right to close applications early. Please apply early to avoid disappointment. We are a Disability Confident Employer and welcome all applications. Get Set UK is an Equal Opportunity Employer, offering employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, physical and mental disability, age, citizenship, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, and any other protected status. Our aim is to support and maintain the physical and mental health of all people at work.If you do need any reasonable adjustments as part of your application and recruitment process, please let us know at the outset and we will work hard to provide the right solution for you. This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners/clients and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful appointment to this role will require satisfactory completion of recruitment checks.Get Set UK does not accept agency CVs unless specifically engaged on the role by the Recruitment Team. Please do not forward CVs to our recruiters, employees or any other company location. Get Set UK will consider these CVs as gifts and will not be responsible for any fees related to CVs received in this unsolicited manner.