Overview
Employment Specialist – Individual Placement and Support
East Birmingham | Permanent | Full Time
Help turn recovery into opportunity.
For someone rebuilding their life, the right job can change more than their income.
It can build confidence, create stability and open up new possibilities.
We’re looking for an Employment Specialist to join our established Individual Placement and Support service across Birmingham, helping people receiving drug and alcohol treatment move into sustainable paid employment.
Based at our East Birmingham hub and working across all three Birmingham locations, you’ll work alongside treatment teams, local employers and partner organisations to create opportunities that reflect each person’s skills, ambitions and preferences.
This is employment support with purpose.
Why this opportunity?
Individual Placement and Support is an evidence-based approach that brings employment support directly into treatment services.
Rather than asking people to become “job ready”, IPS starts with what matters to them and supports them to move towards paid employment at a pace that reflects their goals.
You’ll manage a caseload of around 25 people, providing personalised support from the first conversation through to securing and sustaining work.
You’ll also build relationships with employers across Birmingham, understand their workforce needs and create opportunities that work for both the individual and the organisation.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll:
- Deliver high-quality employment support in line with the IPS model.
- Work with people to understand their strengths, experience and employment goals.
- Support job searching, applications, interview preparation and workplace transitions.
- Build trusted relationships with local employers and identify suitable paid opportunities.
- Work closely with Recovery Coordinators and treatment colleagues to provide joined-up support.
- Help people sustain employment by addressing challenges early and offering continued guidance.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to IPS data, reporting and service outcomes.
- Promote the service across Birmingham and strengthen relationships with local partners.
Where you’ll work
Location: Your main base will be our East Birmingham hub, with regular travel across our three Birmingham service locations and into the local community.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week. The role includes some evening and weekend working as part of a rota.
Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and any associated payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.
Responsibilities
About you
You’re someone who can see potential in people and help them recognise it in themselves.
You’ll be confident building relationships, opening conversations with employers and supporting people who may have experienced barriers to work.
You’ll bring:
- Experience of supporting people towards employment, training or positive life changes.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- The confidence to engage proactively with employers and develop new opportunities.
- The ability to manage a varied caseload and balance different priorities.
- A person-centred approach and a genuine commitment to helping people secure meaningful paid work.
- The ability to work collaboratively within an integrated treatment service.
- Confidence using IT systems and maintaining accurate records.
Experience supporting people affected by drug or alcohol use, mental health needs or other barriers to employment would also be valuable.
Why this role is different
This isn’t a desk-based employment advice role.
You’ll work directly with people, employers and treatment teams—spending time in the community, understanding local opportunities and creating practical routes into work.
You’ll be part of a service that measures success through real outcomes: people securing jobs they want, building confidence and sustaining employment as part of their recovery.
What we’ll give you
You’ll receive extensive IPS training and ongoing support to help you develop your knowledge and succeed in the role.
You’ll also have access to:
- 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays, increasing by one day for each completed year of service up to 30 days.
- A paid Wellness Hour every week.
- Our Wellness Hub and Employee Assistance Programme.
- A contributory pension scheme.
- Training, career development and progression opportunities.
- Employee discounts across shopping, entertainment, travel and leisure.
- A generous Refer a Friend Scheme.
Make your next move matter
At Change Grow Live, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to change the direction of their life.
You’ll join a committed Birmingham team that works together to provide personalised, inclusive support and create opportunities that make a lasting difference.
Our values—Be open. Be compassionate. Be bold.—guide everything we do. If they reflect the way you work, we’d love to hear from you.
A Note About Using AI in Your Application
AI can be a helpful tool when preparing your application, and you're welcome to use it. However, we'd really like to hear about you.
Please make sure your application reflects your own experience, achievements and strengths, and clearly shows how you meet the essential criteria for the role. The strongest applications are those that are genuine, specific and bring your skills and potential to life through real examples.
We look forward to learning more about you.
We reserve the right to close this opportunity early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
This opportunity is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.
Please note that we are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies for this vacancy. Direct applications only.
Salary Range (pro rata if part time)
ILW / OLW /Fringe
If you have any questions or concerns on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the below details:
IPS Employment Specialist in Birmingham employer: Change Grow Live
Change Grow Live is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and compassionate work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and service users. Located in Bromley, this role provides meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth, with a focus on making a positive impact in the community. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous leave, and the chance to collaborate with dedicated professionals in the field of recovery support.
