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Job overview
Job Purpose:
To provide an effective IPS employment service for people with severe and enduring mental health conditions who want to work.
To work as part of a multi-disciplinary mental health team, working alongside other mental health and social care professionals, providing joined-up mental health care.
To develop partnerships with employers, local providers, and services to ensure that the employment support needs of clients are met.
To work as part of the Work Well network, sharing knowledge and expertise with a range of other employment professionals across Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
Please note vacancy may be closed early once capacity has been met.
Main duties of the job
Promote the employment service to mental health professionals, service users, and carers to ensure steady referrals. Support clients in identifying job goals, assessing needs, and creating action plans to overcome barriers to work. Deliver personalised one-to-one coaching using various communication methods, including face-to-face, video, phone, email, and text. Engage with local employers to identify suitable job opportunities and placements. Challenge stigma and negative beliefs around mental health and employment. Maintain accurate records, session notes, and outcome evidence using electronic systems. Manage own caseload and time effectively, track progress toward targets, and use supervision for development. Stay informed about labour market trends, training opportunities, welfare changes, and employment law. Follow service policies and procedures, seek guidance when needed, and adapt quickly to changes to maintain quality standards.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with others clearly (verbally and non-verbally), negotiate, persuade, and influence, and work as part of a team (A, I, T).
- High standard of written English (A, I, T).
- Confident using digital technology and proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams (A, I, T).
- High level of learning agility; adapts positively to change and feedback (A, I, T).
- Excellent time management; plans and organises own workload independently (A, I, T).
- Exceptional listening skills; able to perceive and interpret verbal and non-verbal messages (A, I, T).
Attitude
Essential
- Demonstrates passion for supporting people with mental health problems into work (A, I, T).
- Takes responsibility for own actions and personal development (A, I, T).
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrates clear understanding of what the Employment Specialist role involves (A, I). ·
- Demonstrates an understanding of primary and secondary care health services (A). ·
- Demonstrates clear understanding of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model (A)
Desirable
- Knowledge of mental health conditions and understanding the impact of mental health conditions on employment and the support needs of individuals (A).
Experience
Essential
- Recent experience of supporting or coaching individuals on a one-to-one basis (in a voluntary role or paid role), verified by an employer reference1 (A). ·
- Experience of managing multiple tasks at any one time (A)
Desirable
- Experience of delivering employment advice or coaching to people who are unemployed or have a disability or mental health problem (A). ·
- Experience of engaging employers to identify job opportunities (A). ·
- Experience of delivering training courses or workshops in person or online (A).
- Lived experience of mental health problems or caring for someone with a mental health problem (A).
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge gained through relevant work experience (A).
- Equivalent level of knowledge gained through relevant work experience (A).
Desirable
- Training or qualification in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) (A).
- Training or qualification in Job Retention Support (A). ·
- Accredited qualification in coaching or career guidance (A).
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for IPS Employment Specialist - Early Intervention with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is £36,943 - £44,900 per annum inclusive of HCAS. The contract type is 12 months (Secondment, or fixed term until September 2027). The application deadline is 28 Jul 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 (14 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job 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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