BACKGROUND

Just Straight Talk was established in October 2012. JST provides advice and support to unemployed and economically inactive individuals seeking employment, training opportunities, education, improved housing, and enhanced health and well-being.
The post-holder must complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check, as the Project specifically targets legally defined vulnerable adults.
Just Straight Talk promotes integrity and good conduct in all employment matters. We will ensure all applicants are treated fairly, consistently, and impartially for all posts. JST will seek to avoid discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief and pregnancy or maternity throughout every stage of the recruitment process.

OVERVIEW

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Coach to join our dynamic team. This new project, Future Ready, will support people aged 19 and above in Dudley by providing them with the necessary support and guidance to help achieve their life goals. It will also build their confidence, assist with job searching, offer benefit advice, and refer them to training, ultimately progressing them towards employment and providing ongoing support to sustain their employment. For this project, JST will work with 60 individuals over a period of 7 months.
The post holder will be responsible for engaging those 19+ in Dudley to provide assessment and specialist employment advice, support, and interventions. They will manage a targeted caseload of individuals and assess the barriers to employment they experience, including a lack of work experience, no CV, low confidence, no qualifications, homelessness, and caring responsibilities, among others.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively guide and support
· Experience of working with people to address barriers to employment and supporting with employability skills
· Good facilitation and presentation skills
· Good negotiation skills and persuasive skills
· An ability to initiate and develop relationships with partners, including local clinicians, employers and JCP staff
· An ability to work independently, reliably and consistently
· Good report-writing skills
· Good numeracy and information management skills
· Intermediate IT skills
· Working with NEETs, carers and lone parents who also experience complex barriers to starting, succeeding or staying in work. Vocational assessment and profiling skills.
· Safeguarding - Display an awareness, understanding and commitment to protecting and safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults.
· Excellent interpersonal skills - approachable, responsive, ability to build trust and rapport with people, ability to facilitate
· Effective written and verbal communication skills - an excellent communicator with active listening skills
· Be able to develop effective working relationships.
· Ability to think creatively and generate ideas and solutions
· Good organisational skills
· Knowledge of the 2010 Equality Act
· Experience in partnership negotiation and liaison work with other agencies to facilitate progression into work or retain it
· Experience of working on own initiative as well as being an effective team member
· Able to maintain a database and produce reports when required, paying attention to detail
· Ability to accurately record information in systems and follow processes
· Ability to adapt communication to meet the needs of a range of diverse learners, including those living with learning disabilities and other physical, sensory and mental impairments

QUALIFICATIONS/ TRAINING

· Minimum of GCSEs grade 4 in English and Maths or equivalent.
· Evidence of continual professional development
· Information, Advice and Guidance qualification Level 4.

The post holder will operate and work flexibly to ensure the project delivers its outcomes for people in Dudley. The role will include: