About NOW Group
NOW Group are an award-winning social enterprise who delivers services across Northern Ireland supporting people with learning difficulties, autism and neurodiverse conditions into jobs with a future. We are passionate about changing lives and our priority is outcomes and impact for individuals, their families and communities who are the most disadvantaged. We support participants to have better health, a better education and a brighter future. Our services are continually evolving as a result of co-design, participant feedback and project learning.
NOW Group has recently secured a contract to deliver the Skills For Life & Work Programme across sites in Belfast, L/Derry and Enniskillen. The programme supports individuals with disabilities and additional needs to gain qualifications, develop essential life skills and prepare for employment.
The Role
As Referral Officer you will provide our participants with the highest quality support to enable them to gain necessary skills and qualifications to progress in their chosen career. The post holder will have a particular focus on securing participants for the programme and work placements opportunities to ensure they achieve their individual goals. The Employment Officer will engage effectively with parents, carers, schools and employers in a professional manner to ensure the optimum opportunities and outcomes can be achieved by the participants.
Key Responsibilities
1. Build a referral network through liaising with schools / colleges / training providers and potential participants, to identify suitable referrals for Skills for Life and Work.
2. Development and effective planning of a yearly recruitment campaign for the relevant delivery area/site.
3. Ensure high-quality induction of participants, carrying out initial and formative assessments and completion of quarterly Outcome Star reviews and associated action plans.
4. Mentor and support participants throughout their individual journey, providing person-centered support to help them achieve their goals and progress positively into further programmes/job opportunities.
5. Support participants to achieve their learning goals through motivation and encouragement to participate in training, work placement and soft skills sessions.
6. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with a network of employers to secure work placement opportunities for participants.
7. Represent and promote NOW Group in the relevant geographical areas through development of links with statutory agencies/local community networks and appropriate stakeholders.
8. Contribute to the achievement of targets within the Organisational Scorecard and NOW Group’s strategic objectives.
9. Promote the NOW Group brand and tell our story through social media engagement, attending events, use of marketing materials and other key communication tools.
10. Take part in regular quality audits to ensure compliance with organisational and funder guidelines.
11. Comply fully with NOW Group's 'Organisational Approach to Safeguarding.’
What We Offer
At NOW Group, we value and invest in our team. As part of our organisation, you’ll benefit from:
- Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata).
- Health Cash Plan: Available after successful probation.
- Wellbeing Support: Confidential staff counselling and financial advisory services.
- Pension Scheme: 5% employer contribution.
- Flexible Work Initiatives: Including the Bike-to-Work scheme, holiday purchase options, and more.
About The Role
Additional Information
- Employment is subject to an Enhanced AccessNI Disclosure check.
- NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. Policies on safeguarding, recruitment of ex-offenders, and data protection are available upon request.
Required Criteria
- 1. A full current driving licence and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling proposals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a licence.
- 2. Ability to be flexible and adaptable - hours are flexible and may involve evening and weekend work as required.
- 3. Minimum level 2 qualification in English and Maths.
- 4. Minimum of one year’s paid experience of working with either: • Participants with learning disabilities/difficulties • Experience assisting young people in training • Experience of liaising with employers
- 5. Minimum of one year’s paid experience in building local networks and sourcing referrals for programmes
- 6. Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite.
- 7. Excellent communication skills and public speaking/presentation skills.
Desired Criteria
- 1. Previous experience of working on Skills for Life and Work Programme or similar government contracts
- 2. Proven track record of securing employment or work placements for people with barriers to learning.
Skills Needed
About The Company
At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.
One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card® - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.
The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.
Company Culture
At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment.
We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it’s our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact.
In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren’t just statistics — each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted.
What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply — not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don’t see targets — they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.
Company Benefits
Benefits at NOW Group
NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.
We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health.
To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience.
Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.
Vacation, Paid time off, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Long service recognition, Hybrid Working, On the job learning, Progression opportunities
Salary
£28,250.00 per year