Employment Specialist
5 days ago
Walsall
Job Role: IPS Employment Specialist (Connect to Work)Location: Walsall (Community-based / outreach role)Salary: Up to £35,400 per annum (dependent on experience)Contract: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday)Role Overview We are recruiting an experienced and motivated IPS Employment Specialist to deliver the Connect to Work programme across Walsall. This is a fully community-based, outreach-focused role, where you will work directly within local services and partner organisations rather than from an office base. As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will support individuals experiencing health-related barriers to secure and sustain competitive employment, using a person-centred and evidence-based approach aligned to the IPS model. You will work closely with health teams, community services and employers, embedding yourself within multidisciplinary environments to deliver high-quality support that promotes recovery, independence and long-term employment outcomes.Key ResponsibilitiesIPS Delivery & Case Management • Deliver the IPS Connect to Work model in line with fidelity principles and programme targets, • Manage a caseload of participants motivated to start or return to work, • Develop tailored vocational profiles and action plans based on individual needs, • Support individuals to identify strengths, skills and realistic employment goalsParticipant Support & Job Outcomes, • Deliver practical employment support including:, • CV writing, • Job search and applications, • Interview preparation, • In-work support and job sustainment, • Provide ongoing, personalised support to help participants secure and retain employment, • Support participants with workplace adjustments, disclosure and benefits-related guidanceEmployer Engagement, • Build and maintain relationships with local employers, • Source suitable job opportunities aligned to participant preferences and aspirations, • Promote inclusive hiring practices and support employers to understand individual needs, • Advocate on behalf of participants to support successful job outcomesPartnership & Multi-Disciplinary Working, • Work as an embedded practitioner within partner services (e.g. health, community, support services), • Attend regular MDT meetings and contribute to integrated care planning, • Maintain strong relationships with stakeholders to support participant progression, • Operate flexibly across community settings to meet service and participant needsAdministration, Targets & Quality, • Maintain accurate, timely and compliant records of all activity, • Monitor performance against programme targets and outcomes, • Ensure delivery aligns with IPS fidelity standards and contractual requirements, • Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service deliveryEssential Criteria, • Experience delivering within an IPS, employability or welfare-to-work programme, • Strong understanding of the IPS model or similar supported employment approaches, • Experience supporting individuals with health-related or complex barriers to employment, • Proven ability to manage a caseload and achieve employment outcomes, • Strong employer engagement and relationship-building skills, • Ability to work independently across community-based settings, • Excellent communication, organisational and time-management skills, • Confident using IT systems and maintaining accurate recordsDesirable Criteria, • Experience working within health, mental health or community services, • Knowledge of benefits, employment support and in-work progression, • Experience working within multi-disciplinary or partnership environments, • IPS fidelity knowledge or accredited IPS experiencePersonal Attributes, • Person-centred and empathetic approach, • Proactive and outcome-focused, • Resilient and adaptable, • Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, • Ability to build trust and rapport quicklyAdditional Information, • This is a fully outreach-based role with no fixed office base, • Regular travel across Walsall and surrounding areas required, • Flexible working approach required to meet participant and service needsHow to Apply For more information or to apply for the IPS Employment Specialist role, please contact:Robert Rowe