IPS Job Retention Specialist (NW)

Job overview

You will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary Community Team. As an IPS Job Retention Specialist (ES), you will provide a specialist service, autonomously managing a caseload of service users to enable them to retain their employment using the Individual Placement Support (IPS) model, working with colleagues within HPFT community mental health teams and Primary Care.

You will provide advice and ongoing support on issues including employment rights, reasonable adjustments, and phased return to work plans.

You will support with employment termination applications and provide workplace support to the service user and employer to promote inclusion and reduce discrimination and stigma.

You will deliver the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) approach for those who have been supported out of a job and wish to obtain new employment, for which training will be given should a service user be supported into a new role.

Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.

Main duties of the job

Each Community Services Hub provides a specialist care pathway to Service Users with Non pyschotic disorders and Personality disorder. They also provide specialist care pathways to those with psychotic disorders. Employment Support forms part of the pathways.

You will provide a specialist service, autonomously managing a caseload of service users to enable them to retain their employment using the Individual Placement Support (IPS) model, working with colleagues within HPFT community mental health teams and Primary Care.

You will work directly with all relevant stakeholders: the service user, Community Services staff, consultant psychiatrists, partner agencies and employers to support the service users on your caseload to retain their employment.

You will be a fully integrated community team staff member, attending team meetings etc. Supervision will be provided by the IPS Employment Quadrant Lead. You will also be part of the Virtual IPS team receiving support from peers in other Community teams.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To carry a case load of Service Users with severe mental illness who are currently off work and receiving specialist mental health services and who wish to return to work.
• Provide advice and ongoing support on issues including employment rights, reasonable adjustments, and phased return to work plans.
• Support with employment termination applications and provide workplace support to the service user and employer to promote inclusion and reduce discrimination and stigma.
• deliver the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) approach for those who have been supported out of a job and wish to obtain new employment, for which training will be given should a service user be supported into a new role.
• Focus on rapid job search with the service user, whilst utilising local support networks to help them overcome their barriers to employment.
• Source job opportunities for service users through tailored job search and regular contact with employers.
• When placing service users with employers, ensure that the quality of work environments is explored, including potential for workplace adjustments that will accommodate individual strengths, skills symptoms and coping skills.
• To develop effective working relationships with a range of external agencies who might be better able to help individuals to achieve their employment goals for example, local colleges, training providers and external supported employment services
• To provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy and on-going contact with the employer to help with any new or reoccurring issues in relation to mental health and job sustainability.
• To provide individualised support to service users once they have returned to work to assist them in maintaining employment.
• Meet and exceed job outcome targets for service user

For full details of the role and responsibilities please see attached job description and person specification.

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.