At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to help individuals secure paid employment and support their recovery journey.
- Company: Change Grow Live, a charity dedicated to transforming lives through compassionate support.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, wellness initiatives, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and enjoy a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience, strong communication, and team management skills.
The predicted salary is between 35220 - 37185 £ per year.
Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each service user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options. Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold,’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Senior Employment Specialist with the skills and experience to lead a team of Employment Specialists to deliver a high fidelity IPS service, enabling Service Users to access and sustain paid employment as part of their recovery goals. The IPS Senior Employment Specialist will manage a team of six IPS Employment Specialists integrated across the South West London IPS Service. The Senior Employment Specialist will ensure IPS service provision is delivered with high fidelity to the IPS model. They will provide IPS leadership, supervision, training, caseload management, and role modelling of the IPS approach as part of the holistic recovery plan for people in structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol use.
You will be an excellent team player with the ability to build effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders including service users, commissioners, treatment service managers and staff, benefits agency staff, local employers and ETE providers.
Where: Croydon, with travel across Merton, Kingston, Sutton, Richmond and Wandsworth
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Responsibilities:
- Effectively manage a high-quality service that adheres to the principles of IPS best practice.
- Monitor and manage performance of the IPS Employment Specialists – guide them individually on best practice and achieving individual and team job outcome targets.
- Create a culture of continuous improvement.
- Identify training needs of staff and arrange appropriate training to support with continuous professional development.
- Support the design and delivery of in-house staff training and development (including facilitating peer learning and best practice).
- Involve service users in co-production of service developments where possible.
- Coordinate the work of Employment Specialists in relation to building relationships with employers to effectively access the hidden labour market, external agencies and delivery of job seeking groups.
- Produce regular monitoring reports for internal and external stakeholders, including commissioners.
About You:
- Educated to degree level, or with equivalent relevant work experience.
- Strong communication skills for building effective relationships.
- Proficiency in team management and support strategies.
- Aptitude in data collection and reporting for IPS services.
- Ability to engage and manage staff effectively.
- Dedication to assisting individuals in securing paid employment.
- Experience in engaging employers and cultivating partnerships.
- Firm belief in supporting all individuals to access paid employment.
- Proven ability to connect with individuals, especially understanding challenges faced by those affected by substance misuse.
What We Offer:
- 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays. Additionally, you'll receive one extra day of annual leave for each year of service during your first five years, therefore you will enjoy 30 days of leave after five years with us.
- Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week, ‘Wellness’ hub, and Employee Assist Programme.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Great benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
- A supportive team passionate about their work.
- Training, career development & progression opportunities.
- Generous Refer a friend scheme for successful candidates.
If you're excited about this opportunity, apply now and be part of our transformative journey at Change Grow Live. Join us in making a positive difference in people's lives.
Please review the attached Job Description and Role Specifics for a detailed outline of responsibilities and Person Specification.
Direct applications only; we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy. Please note: This role 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, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Salary Range (pro rata if part time): CGL points 31 to 33 (£35,220.59 - £37,184.90)
Closing Date: 7/6/2026
If you have any questions on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the below details: Mia Tillyer | mia.tillyer@cgl.org.uk | 07436021640
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
Senior Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support) in Bristol employer: Change Grow Live
Change Grow Live is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its team members. With a strong commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of service users, employees benefit from a supportive work culture, comprehensive training opportunities, and generous leave policies, including additional annual leave for long service. Located in Croydon, with travel across South West London, this role offers the chance to lead a dedicated team in a meaningful mission, fostering both personal and professional development in a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support) in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, workshops, or even online webinars. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Be bold and reach out! Don’t hesitate to contact potential employers directly. A quick email or LinkedIn message expressing your interest can set you apart from the crowd. Remember, it’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company, understand their values, and think about how you can contribute to their mission. Practise common interview questions and have your own ready to ask – show them you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, don’t wait – get your application in and let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support) in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for helping others and how it aligns with our values of being open, compassionate, and bold.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. Show us how your background in employment support can help our service users achieve their goals!
Showcase Your Team Spirit:As a Senior Employment Specialist, teamwork is key! Use your application to demonstrate your ability to build effective relationships and lead a team. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our mission!
How to prepare for a job interview at Change Grow Live
✨Know the IPS Model Inside Out
Make sure you understand the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with its principles and how it helps service users secure paid employment. This knowledge will show your commitment to the role and help you articulate how you can lead a team effectively.
✨Showcase Your Team Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your ability to guide, support, and develop staff, as well as how you’ve created a culture of continuous improvement. This is crucial for the Senior Employment Specialist role, so be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Think about how you would engage with various stakeholders, including service users, employers, and treatment service managers. Be prepared to share your experiences in building effective working relationships and how you would approach co-production with service users to enhance service delivery.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Helping Others
Your dedication to assisting individuals in securing paid employment should shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that reflect your compassion and commitment to making a difference in people's lives, especially those affected by substance misuse. This will resonate well with Change Grow Live's core values.
