Job Coach
Who we are
People First is an independent customer-led charitable organisation that has worked in Cumbria for over 30 years (with registered charity numbers 1184112 and 1184467).
We are passionate about our values of equality, respect, and inclusion. We provide a wide range of support and information services across Cumbria, Lancashire, and Teesside, all aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy and fulfilled lives.
Purpose of job
People First Job Coaches are unique roles that shape and deliver the courses ran by The People First Academy, based in Carlisle, Cumbria. Job Coaches have a profound, positive impact on the lives of people with a learning disability and autistic people.
This role is largely focused on the delivery of our Hospitality Programme and is based at The People First Conference Centre in Carlisle.
Providing person-centred support, this position works side-by-side with hospitality learners to help them learn core hospitality skills, meet the needs of a busy conference centre, and take a hands on approach to completing hospitality tasks directly if needed.
Job Coaches will provide respectful and responsive guidance, support and mentorship to learners, whilst also being an active member of the Hospitality team.
This is a nurturing and results-focused role that encourage and equip people to achieve their goals whilst driving positive change.
The Department
This role sits within the People First Academy. We provide real work experience, training and qualifications for people with learning disabilities and autistic people whilst also operating social enterprises to generate income.
You will join a team that operate our Conference Centre and Café; both of which are highly regarded hospitality venues that provide an outstanding service delivered by an inclusive and dynamic team.
The role, supported by our Hospitality Team Leader and Manager, will enable our learners to develop skills, confidence and professional behaviour to enable them to continue their future career path.
The team will work closely with all areas of the People First Academy to deliver training opportunities that support people with learning disabilities and autistic people to develop new skills and enter paid employment
The Person
As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of People First and be driven by our mission.
The ideal candidate will have a deep appreciation of the need to be flexible and responsive to the needs of people and will be able to work at pace to deliver high-quality on-the-job support in employment settings and vocational training that is person-centred, empowering and effective.
You will be a nurturing coach, who understands that quality support is based on person-centre approaches. You will be comfortable, and ideally experienced, responding to the needs of an individual by tailoring your support to their requirements, whilst remaining encouraging and aspirational.
You will be comfortable and confident in providing a one-to-one level of support for individuals that require tailored approaches, consistency and structure.
You will be passionate about supporting people to learn and to develop; you will be driven by the progress people can make and playing your part in helping them achieve their goals.
This role would suit a dynamic individual who wants to be a part of people’s development; someone who appreciates that building independence is a key goal, and someone who is flexible and excited by the potential of a growing and developing area of work.
Qualifications
- Good all-round level of education
- Training, qualifications, or equivalent experience in supported employment or person-centred approaches would be desirable but not essential.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Experience supporting people with learning difficulties and/or autistic people
- Demonstrable experience providing person-centred support that meets individual needs
- Strong communication skills and ability to adapt your style to suit people’s needs
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- An enthusiastic approach that encourages action from those around you
- Creative problem solving skills with an ability to adapt and learn
- A high standard of written and verbal skills including the ability to record outcomes and document progress
- Excellent ability to prioritise
- Positive attitude to a fast-paced working environment
- A nurturing approach that reflects the abilities of those you’re working with
- Commitment to providing a high-quality service centred on the needs of individuals
- Driving is not essential, but a willingness and ability to travel to placements is required.
Duties will include:
Supporting Learners:
- Providing tailored one-to-one and group support
- Regularly assessing and evaluating learner’s progress
- Liaise with parents/ carers where appropriate
- Documenting learner progress; ensuring milestones are met and that adjustments and support measures meet needs and encourage development.
Coaching:
- Taking a person-centred approach to support that responds to individual needs
- Delivering a programme of support to foster learner’s independence
- Complete a record of progress
- Maintain a close relationship those working with you
- Encourage learner to adapt to the workplace and to be clear on their needs
- Support reasonable adjustments.
Hospitality:
- Supporting learners in a hands-on way to complete hospitality tasks such as food service, customer service, cleaning and maintenance
- Role modelling positive work behaviours, getting stuck in to show learners first-hand how to complete hospitality functions
- Completing hospitality functions such as cleaning, room preparation, cash handling, food service and maintenance as required
- Being a member of the team willing to complete daily conference centre tasks as well as supporting learners to complete tasks to a good standard
Other Duties
- Evening and weekend working may be required.
- The duties outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and may change as the needs of the organisation alter in line with current agendas. Due to the developing nature of our organisation, we require staff to remain highly flexible in their approach, and work to meet the changing needs of the projects.
For more information
If you’d like further information about the role, if you have any questions please contact:
- our Head of Communications, Enterprise and Learning, Adam, [email protected] or call 01228 236341
To Apply
If you’re interested in the role and think you’d be a good fit, we’d like to hear from you.
To apply for this position, please email a copy of your CV including details of two references, to [email protected], or alternatively, you can post for the attention of Barry to People First Conference Centre, Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB
All applications should be clearly marked: Confidential – Job Coach
Closing date - 5.00pm , 1st December 2025 (may close sooner)
If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful