Our Board
Our Board provide us with guidance and direction and makes sure we’re working, developing and growing in accordance with our goals.
Staff Team
Our staff come from diverse backgrounds and bring different skills and knowledge to the organisation. They are committed individuals, keen to do the best they can for their clients and the organisation.
Senior Manager
Service Delivery Managers
I started with Into Work as a Specialist Employment Adviser in 2005 progressing to a Service Team Leaders in 2014. In 2018 I became a Service Delivery Manager. Since starting I have supported people with all disabilities and health conditions, focusing for a few years on the support of those with Acquired Brain Injury. I now manage teams of advisers in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian as well as our welfare rights service. Into Work is my first voluntary sector employer. Prior to this I worked in the private sector as a Recruitment Consultant in Edinburgh for 8 years and I have also worked in a client-facing public sector role with East Lothian Council.
I’ve have worked in the supported employment arena for over 26 years, mostly in the voluntary sector but have also worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant within the private sector for a 4-year period specialising in severe injury cases. I joined Into Work in 2000. I was instrumental in setting up our dedicated service for clients on the autistic spectrum. I have extensive experience of taking a holistic approach to supporting people with a wide variety of disabilities and health conditions. I also manage our Project Search sites within the NHS and the City of Edinburgh Council. I currently manage a team of Employment Advisers in our Edinburgh office.
Employment Advisers (Edinburgh)
We have 7 Employment Advisers based at our HQ at Albion Road in Edinburgh – in no particular order, Islay, David, Matt, Lee, Brian, Ross and Laura.
Employment Advisers (Midlothian)
Rob and Emma are based at 1 Eskdaill Court in Dalkeith, right in the middle of town. They’re also happy to meet clients in other parts of Midlothian if travelling to Dalkeith is an issue.
Employment Advisers (East Lothian)
Gary is based at East Lothian Works in Haddington. East Lothian Works is an East Lothian Council project that provides services similar but different to Into Work.
Welfare Rights Officer
Alan is our Welfare Rights expert. He supports our Edinburgh and Midlothian teams by providing welfare rights advice to jobseekers, including the financial implications of starting work. Alan also works one day a week with East Lothian Council, providing support to clients receiving a service from the East Lothian Works team. Alan can also support people if they need to challenge decisions made by DWP about their benefits.
Project SEARCH Job Coaches
Project SEARCH provides employment and learning opportunities for young people with a disability. It is a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh College and Into Work. James, Heather and Alison are based at the City of Edinburgh Council. Trish and Greig are based at the Western General Hospital.
Community Mental Health Partner
Nicola is a trained careers adviser and experienced employment adviser. She is currently, on secondment as a Community Mental Health Partner with the Department of Work and Pensions as part of the government’s aim of enhancing provision for people with mental health conditions. She is based at the High Riggs Jobcentre but her work takes her all over Edinburgh. The role of the Community Mental Health Partner is to develop and encourage more locally, joined-up services for benefit claimants by educating and training the people that are there to help them. To achieve this, Nicola has a very varied role. She delivers training and advice through courses, short sessions and one to one advice. She regularly meets with Jobcentre staff, including Disability Employment Advisers, employers, local employment support agencies and the NHS Health and Wellbeing team. She also delivers training for employers on DWP’s Access to Work and Disability Confidence schemes.
Support Staff
These are the people that keep the organisation ticking over in the background.
Susan is our Service Support Officer . She keeps our employment advisers in line ensuring they complete the right paperwork to meet the requirements of our various funders. As well as this she keeps a check on our outcomes to ensure we’re meeting our targets.
Diana is our Business and Finance Officer. Her role includes finance, HR support and governance, including supporting the Board.
Fiona is our Senior Development Officer. Her role includes providing internal operational support and development, including looking after our website, social media, tech support, facilities and health and safety.