Fidelity Compliance Lead

Fidelity Compliance Lead

Permanent

Part Time, 30 hours per week

£32,826 to £38,619 per annum FTE (£26,615 to £31,312 pro rata)

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 3rd August 2025

Please note that this is a part-time position, offering 30 hours per week, to be worked across Monday to Friday. The specific working pattern (i.e., how the hours are distributed across the week) is subject to discussion and negotiation with the successful candidate.

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office (County Hall, Chelmsford), 2 to 3 days per month, with the remaining time allowing for remote working if desired.

The Opportunity

The Connect to Work Programme supports Essex residents with complex barriers to employment, helping them access and sustain meaningful work. This role ensures that commissioned delivery partners provide high-quality, high-fidelity employment support aligned with national standards.

The Fidelity Compliance Lead is critical for leading the quality assurance and fidelity compliance of the programme, ensuring delivery partners meet the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) standards. The role provides expert guidance, undertakes internal reviews, and supports continuous improvement to maintain programme integrity and funding eligibility.

This role is key to ensuring the programme delivers consistent, person-centred support and meets the expectations of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), safeguarding the programme's reputation and financial sustainability.

To read more about our business area, please visit: https://workingforessex.com/role/economy-investment-and-public-health

Accountabilities

Lead the development and delivery of a structured fidelity review programme across all delivery partners, ensuring compliance with IPS and SEQF standards.
Provide expert advice and mentoring to Employment Specialists, Team Leaders and Service Managers to embed high-fidelity practices in day-to-day delivery.
Support delivery partners in preparing for external fidelity assessments, including the development and monitoring of improvement plans.
Produce detailed reports and analysis for internal governance and external stakeholders, including the DWP, highlighting trends, risks and areas for improvement.
Lead the implementation of a quality assurance framework, including audits, compliance checks and risk management aligned with national standards.
Facilitate learning networks and workshops to promote shared understanding and continuous improvement across the provider network.
Monitor and support the use of the Connect to Work Management Information System (MIS), ensuring accurate and timely data entry and reporting.
Provide field-based support through mentoring, case reviews and modelling of best practice to improve operational delivery and job outcomes.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

RQF Level 5 or equivalent in a relevant employment practitioner qualification (e.g. IPS or SEQF).
Extensive experience in frontline delivery roles such as Employment Specialist, Team Leader, or Service Manager within IPS or SEQF-supported employment programmes.
Expert knowledge of the IPS Fidelity Scale (25-item assessment tool) and/or the SEQF Model Fidelity Framework, which evaluates adherence to supported employment principles 1.
Familiarity with National Occupational Standards and the 5-stage supported employment model, as defined by BASE (British Association for Supported Employment) 2.
Experience in conducting fidelity assessments, preparing for external reviews, and implementing improvement plans.
Strong analytical and mentoring skills, with the ability to lead audits, interpret fidelity scores, and support continuous improvement. Professional area. - can be altered include membership of essential professional membership e.g. HCPC, CIPD

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: resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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