At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to help individuals secure paid employment and support their recovery goals.
- Company: Change Grow Live, a charity dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, wellness hours, pension scheme, and great discounts.
- Other info: Join a passionate team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others find meaningful work and grow as individuals.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience, strong communication, and team management skills.
The predicted salary is between 35221 - 37185 € per year.
Change Grow Live is a charity dedicated to believing we can make a difference to our Service Users' lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment. Each service user is treated as an individual and supported to find the right treatment and care options. Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold,’ and our team applies these daily to help 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 to lead a team of Employment Specialists and deliver a high‑fidelity IPS service, enabling Service Users to access and sustain paid employment as part of their recovery goals.
Employment Location: West Sussex
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Responsibilities
IPS is a fundamental commitment in the Government’s Drug Strategy and will be implemented in all treatment services in England. This evidence‑based employment support model helps service users secure preference‑led paid work, proven to be more effective than any other form of employment support. West Sussex IPS, including one Senior Employment Specialist and two Employment Specialists, offers support within structured treatment services to individuals motivated to find paid work.
In this role:
- Effectively manage a high‑quality service that adheres to the principles of IPS best practice.
- Monitor and manage the performance of the IPS Employment Specialists, guiding 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 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 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.
- An extra day for each year of service during your first five years, for a total of 30 days of leave after five years.
- Paid “Wellness” hour each week, “Wellness” hub, and Employee Assist Programme.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Great benefits including 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.
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, we cannot support new visa applications or extensions.
Salary is subject to review in line with the 2025/26 pay award. Salary Range (pro rata if part time) CGL points 31 to 33 (£35,220.59 - £37,184.90)
Interview Date: 4/6/2026
Closing Date: 28/5/2026
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
Senior Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support) in Havant employer: Change Grow Live
Change Grow Live is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its team members. Located in the beautiful West Sussex, we offer a supportive work culture where compassion and boldness are at the heart of our mission. With generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave, wellness initiatives, and opportunities for career development, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our Service Users while fostering their own personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support) in Havant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out Change Grow Live's website and social media. Understanding their values of being open, compassionate, and bold will help you connect with the team and show you're a great fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Employment Specialist and be ready to share specific examples of your past successes.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about the IPS service and how you can contribute to its success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the position can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows that you’re proactive and genuinely interested in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support) in Havant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you passionate about helping others.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Senior Employment Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with our core values of being open, compassionate, and bold. Show us why you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; tell us about your successes! Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in supporting individuals to secure employment.
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 there!
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 differs from other employment support models. This will show your commitment to the role and help you articulate how you can lead a high-fidelity IPS service.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since strong communication is key in this role, prepare examples of how you've built effective relationships in previous positions. Think about times when you’ve engaged with service users or employers, and be ready to discuss how you can apply those skills to foster partnerships in West Sussex.
✨Demonstrate Team Management Experience
Be prepared to talk about your experience in managing teams and supporting staff development. Highlight specific instances where you’ve guided team members towards achieving targets or improving their performance. This will illustrate your capability to create a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Connect with the Charity's Values
Familiarise yourself with Change Grow Live’s core values: being open, compassionate, and bold. Think of examples from your past that align with these values, especially in relation to supporting individuals affected by substance misuse. This will help you resonate with the interviewers and demonstrate your fit for the organisation.
