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- Tasks: Support individuals facing barriers to employment through personalised coaching and job placement.
- Company: Join The Education People, a leader in meaningful employment access across Kent and Medway.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a culture of progression and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others achieve their career goals in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: A Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience, with a passion for supporting disadvantaged individuals.
- Other info: Hybrid/field-based role with opportunities for growth in a diverse workplace.
IPS Employment Specialist
Apply promptly! A high volume of applicants is expected for the role as detailed below, do not wait to send your CV.
Salary:
£27,642
Location:
Hybrid/Field-Based (Across Kent and Medway)
At The Education People, we believe that everyone deserves access to meaningful employment, no matter their background. We’re excited to be delivering the Connect to Work programme across Kent and Medway, as such, we’re expanding our Supported Employment Service and are looking for a driven and compassionate IPS Employment Specialist to deliver real impact for individuals who face disadvantage in the labour market.
Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, you\’ll manage a dynamic caseload and work closely with employers, partners, and communities to secure job and training opportunities for your participants. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a person-centred environment and wants to create lasting change through high-impact employment support.
Key Responsibilities
Manage a significant caseload, assessing each individual’s strengths, aspirations, and support needs using the IPS model.
Deliver one-to-one, personalised employment support and signposting to services when needed.
Engage and build strong relationships with employers, identifying opportunities aligned to your clients’ goals.
Support individuals to gain, sustain, and progress in employment—offering job coaching, career planning, and in-work support.
Collaborate across multi-agency settings and maintain strong stakeholder partnerships to enable integrated support.
Record and report progress against goals and KPIs, keeping accurate, up-to-date records.
Promote inclusion and safeguard wellbeing in all interactions, ensuring safe work environments through risk assessments.
What we need from you:
A Level 3 qualification (or equivalent experience).
Ideally some experience delivering support via the IPS or SEQF model.
A track record supporting people facing barriers to work—such as disabilities, mental health challenges, or social exclusion.
Strong knowledge of the UK welfare and employment system.
Experience managing employer relationships and achieving job outcomes.
Excellent time management, communication, and record-keeping skills.
Confidence working independently as well as part of a wider support network.
In return we will offer you:
25 days holiday rising to 30 for long service, plus bank holidays
Cycle to work scheme
Life assurance cover
Benefits scheme
A culture of progression and development
Flexible working arrangements
About Commercial Services Group:
Commercial Services Group (CSG) is the largest, local authority-owned trading company (LATCO) in the UK, wholly owned by Kent County Council. CSG generates over £800m in revenue per annum and provides services to over 16,000 education and public sector customers globally. CSG is striving to be recognised as the global leader in Education and Public Sector services, currently operating in 86 countries with 1,800 staff across 33 trading brands. Their expertise spans HR Services, IT Services, Energy, Education Resources, Procurement, and more.
CSG is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified individuals of all backgrounds.
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any
IPS Employment Specialist employer: Commercial Services
Contact Detail:
Commercial Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Understanding its principles and how it applies to employment support will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and discussions with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of supported employment. Attend local events or join online forums related to IPS and employment support to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the specific challenges faced by individuals in Kent and Medway regarding employment. Being able to discuss these issues and how you can address them will show your commitment and understanding of the local context.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported individuals facing barriers to employment. Highlighting these stories will illustrate your capability and passion for the role, making you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace IPS Employment Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the IPS Employment Specialist role. Focus on your track record of supporting individuals facing barriers to work and any experience with the IPS model.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for helping others and your understanding of the challenges faced by disadvantaged individuals in the labour market. Mention specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience in your application. If you have additional training or certifications related to employment support, be sure to include those as well.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this role, provide examples in your application of how you've effectively managed employer relationships and collaborated with multi-agency settings to achieve job outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at Commercial Services
✨Understand the IPS Model
Familiarise yourself with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply this model in your role, as it’s central to the position and demonstrates your commitment to person-centred support.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Highlight any relevant experience you have in supporting individuals facing barriers to employment. Use specific examples to illustrate your success in managing caseloads and achieving job outcomes, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Build Rapport with Employers
Discuss your strategies for building strong relationships with employers. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with businesses to create job opportunities for clients, as this is a key responsibility of the role.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Prepare to showcase your communication skills during the interview. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as effective communication is essential for collaborating with multi-agency settings and maintaining stakeholder partnerships.
