At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support individuals with mental health needs in securing sustainable employment.
- Company: Join a dedicated team making a real difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £36,363, 25 days holiday, and a local government pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and professional development in a supportive setting.
- Why this job: Empower others while developing your leadership skills in a rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment services and strong team management skills required.
We are seeking an experienced Senior IPS Employment Specialist to support the delivery of a high-quality employment service, working with individuals with mental health support needs to help them secure sustainable employment. This is a key role combining team leadership with direct client support, where you will manage and develop a team of Employment Specialists while maintaining your own caseload. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, working closely with community mental health teams to provide person-centred, recovery-focused support and build strong employer partnerships.
The role involves:
- Managing and supervising a team of Employment Specialists, providing guidance, coaching and performance management
- Delivering the IPS model in line with best practice and fidelity standards
- Managing a personal caseload, supporting individuals into paid employment aligned to their preferences
- Conducting face-to-face appointments and delivering tailored diagnostics and action planning
- Building and maintaining employer relationships to generate job opportunities, including accessing the hidden labour market
- Coordinating team activity across employer engagement and job search support
- Producing monitoring reports and tracking performance against targets
- Identifying training needs and supporting continuous professional development within the team
- Supporting service development, including co-production with service users
- Working collaboratively with community mental health teams and external stakeholders
- Ensuring compliance with safeguarding, health & safety, and data protection requirements
- Promoting and profiling the service, including sharing outcomes and success stories
Required Skills & Experience:
- Experience working within employment services, supporting individuals with mental health needs or similar barriers
- Experience in a supervisory, management or mentoring capacity
- Strong understanding of supported employment and the IPS model
- Experience managing a caseload and achieving performance targets
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop a team to achieve outcomes
- Experience engaging with employers and sourcing job opportunities
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Knowledge of employment legislation, benefits systems and disability-related employment issues
- Ability to work independently and use initiative to improve service delivery
- Commitment to person-centred, recovery-focused approaches
- NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance (or equivalent experience)
Due to the nature of this role, you will be a vehicle driver with access to your own vehicle and will be required to complete an online Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if successful in this role.
If this sounds like the perfect role for you then please submit your CV.
Senior IPS Employment Specialist in Blackpool employer: Aspire Recruitment
As a Senior IPS Employment Specialist in Blackpool, you will join a dedicated team committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with mental health support needs. Our organisation fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, offering opportunities for continuous learning and growth while ensuring a healthy work-life balance with generous holiday allowances and a robust pension scheme. By working closely with community mental health teams and local employers, you will play a vital role in promoting recovery-focused employment solutions, making this an incredibly rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior IPS Employment Specialist in Blackpool
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Aspire Recruitment.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Aspire Recruitment!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Aspire Recruitment, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Aspire Recruitment or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior IPS Employment Specialist in Blackpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Aspire Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Aspire Recruitment! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspire Recruitment
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
