IPS Employment Specialist in Grimsby

Salary: £31,049

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full Time (37.5 hrs pw)

Location: Grimsby

Standguide is an employee-owned organisation, which means our employees have a voice in the business and a shared interest in its long-term success.

Alongside a rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference, we offer:

• 33 days paid annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing to 38 days after five full years service
• An additional paid day off for your birthday
• Workplace pension scheme
• Company health plan following successful completion of probation
• Online GP access
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling and wellbeing support
• Death in service cover
• Will-planning support and access to a secure digital vault
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Company sick pay, subject to eligibility
• A broad range of internal training and continuing professional development opportunities
• Access to employee-owner benefits, subject to eligibility and qualifying service

Make a difference through meaningful employment. Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers and achieve their employment goals? We’re looking for an Employment Specialist to support people with mental health support needs to find and sustain meaningful, competitive employment.

You’ll work using the Individual Placement and Support approach, an evidence-based model that places each person’s interests, strengths and aspirations at the centre of their journey into work. You don’t need previous IPS experience, as full training will be provided. What matters most is your ability to build trust, work positively with people and employers, and help individuals recognise and achieve their potential.

About Standguide: For more than three decades, Standguide has supported individuals and employers across the UK. We provide employment, skills and support services that help people overcome barriers, develop their potential and move towards sustainable employment. As an employee-owned organisation, we’re committed to investing in our people, delivering high-quality services and creating positive outcomes for the communities we support.

What you’ll do: As an IPS Employment Specialist, you’ll:

• Manage a caseload of clients with mental health support needs who are motivated to start or return to work
• Deliver support in line with the eight principles of the Individual Placement and Support model
• Work towards the standards set out within the IPS Fidelity Scale
• Build supportive and trusting relationships with clients
• Help clients identify their skills, interests, experience and employment aspirations
• Complete vocational profiles and agree personalised action plans
• Support clients with job searches, CVs, applications, interview preparation and career development
• Identify suitable employment opportunities through tailored job searching and direct contact with local employers
• Explore both advertised vacancies and opportunities within the hidden job market
• Develop positive relationships with employers and promote inclusive recruitment
• Help employers understand workplace support needs and reasonable adjustments
• Explore options such as job carving where this may help create a suitable opportunity
• Provide ongoing in-work support to clients and employers once employment has been secured
• Work closely with healthcare professionals, referral partners, colleges, training providers and other local organisations
• Maintain accurate records and provide clear evidence of client progress and outcomes
• Work independently within the community while remaining an active member of the wider team

What you’ll need: We’re looking for someone who has:

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience of supporting people with mental health, health-related needs or other barriers to employment
• An understanding of the challenges people with health support needs may face when seeking or sustaining work
• Experience gained within employability, health, social care, community services or the voluntary sector
• The ability to build respectful, trusting and productive relationships
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Good record-keeping skills and attention to detail
• The confidence to work independently and use your own initiative
• The ability to develop relationships with employers and promote the service
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required. Alternative travel arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.
• Experience or training in the Individual Placement and Support approach would be an advantage, but it isn’t essential.
• Overseas equivalent qualifications will be considered.
• We welcome applications from people with relevant lived experience and recognise the valuable insight this can bring to the role.

Equality and accessibility: Standguide is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to equality of opportunity and value the diversity of our employees, applicants and customers. We’ll consider reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Pre-employment checks: Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, confirmation of the applicant’s right to work in the UK and an Enhanced DBS check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from working with us. Any information disclosed will be considered fairly and individually, taking account of its relevance to the role and the circumstances involved.

For a copy of the full job description and person specification, please email recruitment_standguide_couk.