IPS Employment & Education Specialist

Job overview

We are seeking a new IPS Education & Employment Specialist to join our Oxfordshire  based team!

This is an excellent opportunity to join a team who have recently been awarded a national Quality Kite Mark. We are seeking an employment specialist to join the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Team in Oxfordshire on a full time basis.

We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and a variety of experience. If you’re resilient, empathic and determined to open doors, challenge prejudice, and champion the skills and talents of individuals, then a career in IPS could be for you.

These roles are for those who are passionate and proactive about supporting people who have experienced mental health challenges  to live well in the community.

The role of an Employment Specialist is incredibly dynamic and diverse. One moment you’ll be working closely with IPS clients to set goals, refining CVs, or practising interview techniques, the next you’ll be approaching potential employers and discussing roles and job flexibility.

We pride ourselves in being a supportive team within a great organisation If you are passionate, creative, solution focused, good at building hopeful relationships and growing trust, a career in IPS could be a varied and rewarding role for you.

Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.

Main duties of the job

• You will be working to support people either to gain employment or retain their current employment as part of  multi-disciplinary (MDT) team's within the City Of Oxford.
• The Employment Specialist’s will join an IPS team working under the direction of an IPS team leader to deliver IPS as part of the holistic recovery plan for mental health service users in the community.
• You will be required to manage a caseload of up to 20 people at any one time who have experienced mental health problems and who are waiting to either gain new employment or retain their current employment. The Employment Specialist is expected to deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach – for which training will be given.
• Working directly with all relevant stakeholders: the service user, Oxford Health staff, partner agencies ,employers  and people who have experienced mental health challenges themselves - you will support the service users on your caseload to gain and retain paid employment.
• Working directly with all relevant stakeholders: the service user, Oxford Health staff, partner agencies ,employers  and people who have experienced mental health challenges themselves - you will support the service users on your caseload to gain and retain paid employment.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the “supporting statement” element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.