IPS Employment Specialist

Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation TrustIPS Employment SpecialistThe closing date is 05 December 2025IPS (Individual Placement and Support) is an evidence-based approach to helping people with mental health conditions find and keep a paid job.Having a job can bring numerous benefits to people. We know having a job can help people with mental health conditions to recover.At present, only around 8% of people receiving support from secondary mental health services are in paid employment, while studies suggest almost 90% of people with serious and enduring mental health conditions want to work.A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for a permanent Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialists in the following area:YorkThe IPS worker will be working with people who have a mental illness and support them into competitive employment and then enabling them to retain that employment. As an IPS worker you will be looking for paid employment opportunities for clients who are currently involved with secondary care adult mental health services. This will involve developing opportunities with local employers and supporting them as well as the client, to ensure the right person is in the right job.You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.Main duties of the jobYou will support clients with job searching, completing CV's and application forms and interview preparation. Working with our clients, you will liaise and signpost to a range of employment and training programmes within the local area, to include Job Centre Plus.Developing your knowledge and networks of employment related support services and inclusive employers within the local area is essential to this role. Employment opportunities would include those within TEWV itself.This role is part of a wider employment support service, working closely with people with moderate to severe common mental health problems and their clinicians. The post holder will support service users to gain or return to competitive (paid) employment following the Individual Placement and Support process, aiming for fidelity to this delivery model. The role will involve working directly with Jobcentre Plus, employers, trade unions and employment agencies to secure paid employment opportunities, including supporting them and their employers to retain these opportunities for up to one year once gained.About usWe're committed to co-creating a great experience for our colleagues. This means listening to what staff are telling us and working together to be the best employer we can be.Our staff are our most important asset and recognising their excellent work and the vital contributions they make to patient care is very important.We have achieved the gold Investors in People (IIP) standard and have been commended on great people management practice and demonstrating a commitment to staff development.We are signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme. This means we have to demonstrate that we're taking positive action to attract, recruit and retain disabled peopleWe have an award-winning system for delivering efficiency through clinician-led quality improvements.All staff who join us are provided with a comprehensive induction programme, starting on their first day of employment.Continuous professional development is important to us. Once you're comfortable in your new role, you and your manager will work collaboratively to form a Personal Development Plan (PDP), your personal career aspirations are taken into account and the trust will provide you with the resources you need to develop.It's important our staff are able to raise concerns about patient safety and let us know when we need to improve services. We have a number of ways people can do this.Job responsibilitiesThe successful applicants will establish ongoing monitoring and support systems for clients once employment is secured. This will include review of employment gained to ensure that this is meeting both clients and employers needs. This will include offering support to employers and clients with any problems that may arise and promoting disability awareness among employers to ensure a positive integration of our clients into the workforce.The successful candidate will be dynamic and highly motivated, with excellent communication skills to enable you to work/engage effectively with a wide range of agencies and employers, clients and sometimes their families. Innovation, determination and ability to influence assertively are key to the success of this role.You will apply consistently high standards, have knowledge of relevant legislation and be willing to attend training as required. The successful candidate needs to demonstrate a strong commitment to employment and social inclusion.IPS supervision and clinical support from community mental health team members will be offered on a regular basis with ongoing training and development opportunities relevant to the post.Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.Person SpecificationQualificationsNumeracy and Literacy level 2 (or above)Minimum of level 4 qualification related to IPS practice e.g. Level 4 - Certificate of higher education (CertHE), higher apprenticeship, higher national certificate (HNC), level 4 award, level 4 certificate, level 4 diploma, level 4 NVQ If level 4 award (or higher) is not a health or social care related subject will complete care certificate during first 6 months of employment.OR A minimum of 2 years of experience in e.g. o delivering employment support o delivering health/social care support o providing coaching/advice and guidanceEvidence of additional qualifications relevant to roleSkillsAbility to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service.Ability to deliver employment support interventions competentlyAbility to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situationAdherence to Trust record keeping standards.Ability to adapt intervention using own initiative within own scope of practice.Ability to plan and organise a given caseload and prioritise effectively.Fully compliant with statutory and mandatory training.Completed "Doing What Works" IPSAbility to lead a group session. training or equivalent.Ability to use employment related software packages/platforms.Demonstrate IPS and service specific competencies.Ability to lead a group sessionPersonal AttributesAwareness of the needs of individuals from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgroundsAbility to relate to the needs of the patient groupCompassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carersAbility to work on own in a variety of settings using initiative appropriatelyAbility to work under pressure in a rapidly changing environmentAble to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a teamCommitted to continual quality and service improvementCommitted to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities and autismCommitted to promoting a positive image of IPS and the TrustSelf-awareness and committed to continual personal developmentDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust #J-18808-Ljbffr