Senior Employment Adviser and Safeguarding Lead (Disability)


Company:	EMPOWUK
Salary:	from £40,000 a year, pro rata
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 4 days remote
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	23 Oct 2026
Closing date:	22 Nov 2026

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Summary

This role is subject to funding being confirmed. Expected start: [early 2027]

Work that fits the person

Too many disabled people and people with long-term health conditions are offered jobs that were never designed for them. EMPOWUK is changing that.We help people try small, real, paid pieces of work with employers, build evidence of what they can do, and grow that into work that lasts, at hours and in ways that suit them. Part-time and flexible work counts as a success here. Our technology does the paperwork and spots patterns. Our advisers make the decisions.We are building our first team, and this is the role that sets the standard for everyone who follows.

The roleYou will be our most senior customer-facing adviser, and our named Safeguarding Lead. You will work one to one with participants, and you will make sure everyone who joins us is safe, heard and treated with dignity. You'll carry a reduced caseload so that you have time to lead.

What you will do

As a Senior Employment Adviser

Hold in-depth conversations to understand what each person can do, what they want, and what adjustments they need. We start with circumstances, not job titles.

Support people through their first paid work, stay alongside them while it settles, and record the evidence of what they achieve.

Review what our AI co-pilot drafts, correct it, and make every decision that matters.

Help shape the service with a panel of disabled people, who will be paid to challenge us.

As Safeguarding Lead

Own our safeguarding policy and procedures, and keep them practical and proportionate.

Receive, assess and act on concerns, including decisions about referrals and information sharing, and keep clear, secure records.

Make sure every adviser is trained, DBS checked and confident to raise a concern.

Work with our external safeguarding supervisors, local authority safeguarding teams and referral partners.

As a leader

Train and mentor the advisers who join as we grow.

Help us measure what works, and share honest learning, including what doesn't work.

What you bring

What we offer

A chance to shape a new model of employment support from the start.

Regular external safeguarding supervision, so you are never carrying difficult decisions alone.

How we hire

This post requires a DBS check at the level the role is eligible for, and right-to-work checks.

We do not ask about health or disability before making an offer. If you need adjustments to apply or interview, tell us and we will make them.

To apply: send your CV and a short note on why this work matters to you to info@varawellness.com

Essential requirements

Essential Three or more years of one to one employment support, coaching or casework with disabled people or people with long-term health conditions. Formal adult safeguarding training, and real experience of recognising, recording and escalating concerns, with a working knowledge of the Care Act 2014. A good understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and reasonable adjustments. Confident knowledge of how work interacts with Universal Credit, PIP and other benefits. Clear, careful record keeping, and comfort working with digital tools. Calm judgement in difficult moments, and the ability to be warm and firm in the same conversation. Desirable Experience of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) or supported employment. Knowledge of Access to Work and employer adjustments. Experience supervising or mentoring colleagues. Experience working with employers, or in a start-up or pilot. Lived experience of disability or a long-term health condition. This is welcome, never required.

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