Senior IPS Employment Specialist

Cumbria Health provides high quality, responsive health services across Cumbria. We are looking for highly motivated Senior IPS (Individual Placement and Support) Employment Specialist who can support the delivery of the Connect to Work service in Cumbria. Connect to Work is a new employment support programme across Cumbria, designed to help individuals overcome barriers to entering or remaining in employment. The service supports people seeking work, those returning to the workforce, and employers or partner organisations looking to develop and retain their workforce.

37.5 hours per week, fixed term until March 2028

For the first six months of the contract, the successful candidate will be primarily based on-site in Barrow-in-Furness. During this period, travel will be supported through the use of a Cumbria Health pool car. Beyond this initial phase, the role will involve travel across the county to provide support to individuals as required throughout the duration of the contract.

Main duties of the job

• The Senior Employment Specialist will help people with health conditions and other significant barriers to employment to find and sustain meaningful employment.
• They will provide personalised, one-to-one support, working closely with participants to understand their skills, interests, and goals.
• They will also build relationships with employers, helping to match participants to suitable job opportunities and offering ongoing support to both parties to ensure job retention.
• The Senior Employment Specialist will supervise a team of Employment Specialists, providing support and day-to-day management to ensure smooth service delivery.

Job responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational management, supervision, and professional support to Employment Specialists, ensuring IPS principles and fidelity standards are maintained.
• Oversee team caseloads, ensuring appropriate allocation, progress monitoring, and delivery of high-quality, person-centred employment support.
• Conduct regular supervision sessions and performance reviews, offering coaching, mentoring, and guidance to develop staff skills and confidence.
• Independently manage a small caseload (e.g., up to 10-12 participants) with complex needs or higher support requirements.
• Deliver tailored support in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) principles.
• Produce action plans with SMART targets for each participant to help them gain and sustain paid employment.
• Support participants to agree a written action plan detailing the steps required to gain paid employment and the appropriate support route.
• Provide help to find the right job and provide advice and support on training and how to prepare for employer interviews.
• Support participants with job searching, CV and application form preparation, and interview techniques.
• Signpost participants to relevant local services, training programmes, and employment support opportunities.
• Update the CRM system with all activities to meet compliance requirements, record evidence for relevant fidelity scales, track performance and report against targets.
• Plan own workload using comprehensive diary management, managing competing demands to ensure IPS is delivered to a high standard across the county.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, local agencies, trade unions, and employment agencies to identify, create and secure paid job opportunities.
• Work in partnership with health services, education providers, and community organisations to deliver tailored interventions providing support to address specific issues.
• Support participants and employers to sustain employment, providing guidance on reasonable adjustments and workplace inclusion.
• Promote social inclusion, adhere to relevant legislation, and engage in ongoing training and professional development.
• Deliver presentations, sessions, and workshops on employment, education, and skills.
• Travel across the county to meet participants, employers, and partner organisations as required.

Person Specification

• Confident
• Well organised
• Good team player
• Flexible
• Willingness to undertake further training
• Ability to motivate, support, and manage individuals or teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Good negotiation and communication skills.
• The ability to initiate and develop rapport with participants and establish relationships with stakeholders.
• The ability to work independently and take responsibility for own workload.
• Excellent IT skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience supporting people with employment related goals.
• Ability to deliver employment support interventions competently.
• Ability to plan and organise a given caseload and prioritise effectively.
• Ability to build rapport and effective relationships at all levels.
• Demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to maintain workload in a busy and demanding environment.
• Experience working with people with mental ill health.
• Experience working with individuals facing barriers to employment including, but not limited to ex-offenders, those with substance addictions, refugees, care experienced, those with disabilities and learning disabilities and those with health conditions.
• Ability to lead group sessions.

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths at Grade C or above
• Award in Employability and IPS Integration or willingness to work towards
• Level 4 professional qualification or degree in relevant subject area

Knowledge

• IPS Fidelity
• Strong working knowledge of the local labour market across Cumbria
• The Equality Act 2010 and implementation of reasonable adjustments into the workplace
• A good working knowledge of the local labour market in the specified geographical locations
• Knowledge of VCFE organisations and local employers
• Knowledge and understanding of issues relevant to participants
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection
• Experience of working directly to support people with employment needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.