Job requirements
Essential
8 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Significant experience of working with people who have experienced mental health problems within health, social services.
- Experience
An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.
- Experience
Experience of helping people to obtain or keep education / work
- Qualifications
Educated or relevant work experience to degree level or equivalent.
- Qualifications
Trained in IPS or willingness to train to diploma level
- Skills & Knowledge
Excellent interpersonal skills, able to engage service users, their families/friends. Good facilitation skills
- Skills & Knowledge
Basic counselling skills
- Skills & Knowledge
An ability to work independently, reliably and consistently
Desirable
1 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience and knowledge of welfare benefits and all disability / employment related benefits.
Job overview
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn
Are you an Employment Specialist looking to make a difference in peoples lives? Do you wish to help people who are under our Secondary Mental Health Services get back into paid employment? If so you're in luck! Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust have an opportunity to join our Step On team for a 12-month fixed term contract,
You will champion of the Trust’s Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Service via the Step On Team and effectively manage a caseload of 20-25 people in receipt of secondary mental health services, in order to facilitate individuals to gain and retain paid employment and/or engage in Higher Education.
A key to success will be enabling these clients to successfully make the transition into the labour market and reducing the number of service users who are not engaged in any form of vocational activity. You will work directly with mainstream employers to secure employment opportunities for service users whilst providing on-going support according to needs therefore to enable people who have experienced mental health problems to gain and retain education/employment.
You will be trained in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) or be willing to train to diploma level.
Main duties of the job
As an Employment Specialist you will effectively manage a caseload of people in receipt of secondary mental health services.
As parts of this role, you will be expected to:
- Receive complex and sensitive information in the form of referrals from Care Coordinators, to meet regularly with Case Managers to co-ordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
- Communicate effectively with clients, giving empathy when disclosing sensitive or contentious information, providing reassurance, training and the motivation to move forward and to overcome any barriers to understanding.
- Understand a range of work procedures and practises following the Centre for Mental Health’s intensive IPS Training course, Motivational Interviewing training and benefits advice programme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:
Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube or copy and paste into browser to watch https://bit.ly/4buATxw
Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube or copy and paste into browser to watch https://bit.ly/44KxWXs
MPFT - Adult Mental Health Services South Staffs - YouTube or copy and paste into browser to watch https://bit.ly/3K3B7ju
For further information regarding this role, please see attached the full job description and person specification.
For further information please contact Helen Felton - Helen.Felton@mpft.nhs.uk
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Employment Specialist - Step On, Mental Health Services with Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Stafford, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Employment specialist role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £39,043 per annum. The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Cover). The application deadline is 16 Oct 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (02 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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