IPS Employment Specialist

Job overview

We have a great opportunity for another dynamic Employment Specialist to join our Individual Placement and support Employment Services Team in Milton Keynes. The post will be based in the community Mental Health Hub  We are looking for an individual who is highly motivated, has experience of supporting people to access paid employment  along with the right qualities and aptitudes. These include a passionate belief that anyone with a mental health condition can work, is a self-starter with initiative, a commitment to team work and strong organisational skills.  You will be joining an IPS Employment Service that was established in 2019 and grown since this time. Your role will involve being an Employment Specialist in a mental health team. You will need to promote employment and raise expectations that people accessing the mental health service can find and keep paid employment.  You will have individual and team targets and will receive professional supervision and support from an Employment Team Leader, a clinical supervisor and local peers. You will also be expected to spend most of your time in the community  providing intervention to our clients, negotiating job opportunities via the hidden labour market, as well as networking with local agencies. As such the post requires a driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Main duties of the job

What is an IPS Employment Specialist?

This is a rewarding and dynamic role where no day is the same and you’ll be making a genuine difference to people’s lives. Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model you’ll be:

• Supporting and motivating individuals with mental health conditions to access and sustain paid employment.
• Regularly meeting with clients to listen, offer practical  support and help them identify their best job match, reflecting their skills and aspirations.
• Supporting the clients through CV production, interview techniques and managing their health at work.
• Advocating for your clients by educating and engaging with employers regarding the IPS service.
• Sourcing job opportunities for your clients through regular contact with local employers within the community.
• Promoting employment and raising expectations around the ability of service users to access paid employment, breaking down the barriers for them.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Who are we looking for?

Firstly, you will need either a degree-level education or relevant work experience, such as in the health and social care or employment sectors. Alongside having strong and persuasive communication skills, excellent time management and exceptional organisational skills. Also, the ability to initiate and develop relationships with a variety of individuals and be able to engage employers using a variety of methods such as via the telephone or face-to-face in the community.

It would also be helpful,  if you have experience of working with people with mental health support needs or  have experience working in employment support services  this can include working with people on a one-to-one basis, offering motivation and support, or engaging with a range of stakeholders. We are also interested in individuals who have experience using a persuasive communication style or promoting a service to a variety of audiences, this can include marketing, recruitment, or sales roles.