Job description
Role Title: Ambition Coach (X 6 positions)
Based at: Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU
Salary details: Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Contract Type: Fixed Term to 31st March 2027
Appointment to this post is subject to final funding confirmation. The post is also subject to further potential extensions to 31st March 2029, subject to funding.
Hours: 37 Hours perweek
Closing date: 1st February 2026
Enhanced Level DBS Disclosure is required for appointment to this post
This post is considered as a suitable secondment opportunity. If you wish to apply on a secondment basis you should seek the necessary approval from your current employer prior to making an application.
Are you a highly motivated and experienced individual with a strong track record in providing high-quality, person-centred employment support? Do you have experience of working with people from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances to achieve positive employment outcomes? This could be a great opportunity for you to apply your skills within a nationally important initiative.
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team delivering an innovative employment support service in Doncaster as part of South Yorkshire’s Pathways to Work agenda. The role will establish and maintain a supportive environment, providing holistic and targeted assistance to clients to enable them to progress closer to work and achieve positive, sustainable employment outcomes.
Pathways to Work is South Yorkshire's approach to bringing about system-wide change, in order to support people to overcome barriers to (re)entering or remaining in the workplace. This approach has a focus on aligning and integrating the delivery of health, employment and skills services to provide holistic, person-centred support. Pathways to Work will align funding across the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, Health Growth Accelerator, UK Shared Prosperity Fund (People and Skills) and Connect to Work, to form a single, cohesive work and skills support system.
City of Doncaster Council is therefore seeking to recruit a number of positions in the following areas. We ask candidates to specify in their application which of these opportunities they are interested in (which could be both).
Ambition Coach 2 X Triage Function
Based at the Civic Office, this pivotal role will act as the first point of contact for residents engaging with our employment support programmes, including the Advance Employment Hub, Economic Inactivity Trailblazer and Connect to Work.
You will lead the triage function, diagnosing client needs and making accurate referrals to internal and external services, ensuring no opportunity is missed to support residents in overcoming barriers to employment. Working with individuals facing complex challenges—such as mental health issues, disability, homelessness, and caring responsibilities—you will provide tailored initial advice and guidance, safeguarding vulnerable clients and empowering them to move forward.
This is a newly defined role offering significant autonomy and scope for innovation. You will shape the triage service, contribute to strategic outreach plans, and develop relationships with a robust network of referral partners across Doncaster. Your decisions will directly impact on the service’s success, and the lives of local residents, in a positive and lasting way.
Ambition Coach 4 x Personalised Support Function
This role is central to delivering personalised employment support under Pathways to Work. As an Ambition Coach, you will work collaboratively with commissioned services and partners to provide inclusive and sustainable employment pathways for residents. Operating within the nationally recognised Individual Placement and Support (IPS) framework, you will offer holistic, targeted assistance to individuals with a range of needs and barriers, including substance misuse, experience of care, caring responsibilities, refugee and veteran status. By creating a supportive environment and delivering wraparound services, you will help clients progress closer to work and achieve positive, long-term employment outcomes. This role is key to promoting confidence, wellbeing, independence, and opportunity for those who need it most.
This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and the local economy. If you are passionate about inclusive employment, helping people, and driving positive change, we would love to hear from you.
In return for your hard work and dedication, we can offer you the chance to be part of a great team dedicated to ensuring that all people in Doncaster thrive. You will also have access to a variety of attractive employee benefits including competitive leave entitlement, a generous local government pension scheme, a wide range of well-being support and development opportunities. You will also have access to a range of staff discount and benefits schemes. More information on the benefits available to you as a City of Doncaster Council employee can be found in the attached benefits book.
Please ensure you view the job summary and job profile as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria.
Shortlisting will take place week commencing 2nd February 2026 and it is anticipated that interviews will be held in the week commencing 9th February 2026. Please note that due to the critical timeframe we are working within to deliver this programme we will be looking for the earliest start date possible.