About The Role
Participant Engagement Officer
Permanent, Full Time
£26,485 to £31,158 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: Monday 21st July 2025 at 11.59pm
To read more about our business area, please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health
The Opportunity
Essex has a number of key employment and skills challenges including low productivity, low wages and lower than average workforce skills levels. Whilst the unemployment claimant count is low, Essex suffers from high levels of economic inactivity and significant pockets of deprivation in communities and cohorts.
To resolve these challenges, Essex County Council delivers the Connect to Work Programme which supports residents with facing barriers or challenges to get into and maintain meaningful employment, social inclusion, and engagement.
The Participant Support Officer plays a key role in removing barriers for residents in accessing opportunities that exist in the Connect to Work programme, ensuring as many people as possible can access support to increase social mobility and move them closer to employment. Working across Greater Essex the role will specialise in working directly with participants / potential participants and their support networks to facilitate engagement in the programme and develop a tailored package of support alongside commissioned providers. The role will also support continuous improvement, reviewing complaints, conducting user surveys / engagement and support co-production activity to develop the programme.
Accountabilities
- Responsible for maintaining an accurate understanding of the eligibility and suitability requirements of the Connect to Work Programme, providing information and advice to residents with an interest in applying to the programme.
- Responsible for assisting individuals to complete Expressions of Interest, facilitating self-referrals to the Connect to Work Programme, providing ongoing support to ensure engagement throughout the triage and onboarding process.
- Responsible for building and maintaining professional networks to increase understanding of the Connect to Work Programme and enable the identification and introduction to those persons most likely to benefit from the programme.
- Work with the Marketing Executives to design and deliver advice clinics / workshops, engaging with housing associations, Job Centre Plus, and voluntary sector groups across Greater Essex to offer support to vulnerable and hard-to-reach group likely to benefit from the Program.
- Maintain close relationships with Triage teams to facilitate a smooth, timely progression of participant Expressions of Interests, proactively supporting the resolution of any issues or barriers that arise.
- Work with frontline Employment Advisors to develop tailored, value-for-money support packages for participants.
- Gather, analyse, and report data related to participant engagement including direct engagement with participant, conducting user surveys and analysing complaints to assess the quality of support provided.
- Support the co-production of continuous improvement initiatives and support the development of innovative solutions to resolve issues and improve participant satisfaction.to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the programme.
- Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to RQF level 4 or equivalent by experience in relevant job coaching or participant support work specialisms.
- Evidence of continuing professional development with good knowledge in relevant professional area and commitment to the principles of evidence-based practice
- Significant practical experience of working with people with a range of barriers or challenges in accessing employment.
- Effective communication skills, good problem solving and assessment skills with a demonstrable track record of building and sustaining positive professional relationships with individuals and families with multiple and complex needs.
- Excellent presenting skills to be able to facilitate workshops and training to colleagues and partners and - collaboration.
- Experience of working with businesses and/or partner organisations on economic development issues.
- Familiar with data and the use of digital tools (e.g. PowerPoint) to present complex information to a variety of audiences in compelling ways.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025
, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
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