Connect to Work Lead Employment Specialist in Daventry

We reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time if we receive suitable applications for the role.

Overview

An IPS Team Leader in the Connect to Work programme will lead the team to provide intensive, personalised, employment-focused support to people with complex barriers, working collaboratively across health, employment, and community settings. The role is dynamic, relationship based, and highly impactful, helping clients achieve life‑changing outcomes through meaningful employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and supervise a team of IPS Employment Specialists, ensuring high performance and adherence to IPS fidelity standards, hold a caseload of clients.
• Provide regular 1:1 supervision, reflective practice sessions, and strengths‑based coaching.
• Develop personalised action plans, supporting job search, CV writing, applications, interview preparation, and career planning.
• Assess clients’ support needs, including:

• Travel planning
• Benefits and welfare advice
• Disclosure support around health conditions
• Budgeting and “better‑off” calculations

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications and Specific Training

• GCSE (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics (essential).
• Level 2 IT Qualification, such as ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) (essential).
• Full UK driving licence (often required due to community‑based work) (essential).
• Willingness to undertake IPS‑specific training (e.g., IPS Grow training, Fidelity training) (essential).
• First Aid at Work Certificate (desirable).
• IOSH Health and Safety Qualification (desirable).
• Level 4 qualification or above in a relevant field (e.g., IAG, Health & Social Care, Employability, Psychology, Social Sciences) (desirable).

Experience

• Experience supervising, coaching, or leading staff in employability, health, social care, or similar people‑support settings (essential).
• Experience managing performance against targets (essential).
• Experience building relationships with external partners (e.g., clinicians, employers, community organisations) (essential).
• Experience supporting vulnerable people or individuals with complex barriers to employment (essential).
• Experience working in fast‑paced, target‑driven environments (essential).
• Experience supporting individuals to achieve goals, ideally in employment, skills, health, or social care settings (essential).
• Experience engaging with employers or supporting clients into work (essential).
• Experience delivering IPS services or working within IPS principles (desirable).
• Experience running reflective practice or strengths‑based supervision (desirable).
• Experience managing multi‑stakeholder relationships across health and employment systems (desirable).
• Experience supporting quality audits or compliance frameworks (desirable).
• Skills for Life awareness (desirable).
• Knowledge of the local labour market (desirable).
• Understanding and awareness for clients with multiple and complex difficulties (desirable).

Knowledge

• Understanding of IPS principles and evidence‑based practice (training provided) (essential).
• Knowledge of barriers to employment and how to support people with diverse needs (essential).
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, data protection, and confidentiality (essential).
• Awareness of local labour markets, employer needs, and recruitment practices (essential).
• Understanding of performance management and quality assurance processes (essential).
• Knowledge of the IPS Fidelity Scale and implementation standards (desirable).
• Understanding of primary care, social prescribers, community mental health teams, or other relevant health pathways (desirable).
• Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 and inclusive recruitment practices (desirable).

Skills

• The ability to work under pressure in a highly performance driven organisation (essential).
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop staff (essential).
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation) (essential).
• Ability to analyse performance data and take appropriate action to improve outcomes (essential).
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities (essential).
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with employers, clinicians, and community partners (essential).
• Ability to resolve problems creatively and support staff through challenges (essential).
• High attention to detail with strong documentation and reporting skills (essential).
• Confident using CRM systems, digital tools, and Microsoft Office applications (essential).
• Ability to deliver training or group facilitation (desirable).
• Coaching or mentoring skills (formal or informal) (desirable).
• Conflict resolution and managing difficult conversations (desirable).

We welcome applications from all suitably‑qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, ethnic or social origin, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, reasonable adjustments can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. Please get in contact with recruitment@acorntraining.co.uk to discuss alternative options you may require, or alternative application methods.