At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health needs into meaningful employment through rapid job search and employer partnerships.
- Company: Mission-driven organisation focused on changing lives through work and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Wellbeing support, discounts, pension options, and real opportunities for progression.
- Other info: Full training provided; this role is demanding but life-changing.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact in people's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience or strong interest in mental health services, social care, or recruitment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Do you want a career where you support people with mental health needs into real, paid employment, quickly and ethically? This is not classroom employability. This is frontline, evidence‑based IPS delivery, changing lives through work. As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will deliver the nationally recognised IPS model supporting people with serious mental health conditions (SMI) into open employment, with a strong focus on rapid job search, employer partnership and sustained outcomes. The ideal candidate must have a driver's license to be able to travel across South Essex.
You will work alongside:
- Clinical and NHS teams
- Wellbeing services
- Local employers
Our Values
- Be Ambitious - for every person's working future
- Be Proud - of quality, safety and results
- Be Considerate - of lived mental health experience
- Own It - take responsibility for outcomes
- Be Inspiring - help people believe work is possible
Core Responsibilities
- Carry out vocational profiling with people experiencing serious mental ill health
- Deliver rapid job search based on individual preference
- Build trusted relationships with local employers
- Match people into paid work aligned to their goals
- Prepare participants for disclosure, interviews, workplace expectations
- Provide intensive in‑work support after job start
- Work closely with clinical teams to manage risk and wellbeing
- Track job starts, sustainment and progression
- Maintain high‑quality, fidelity‑compliant case records
Your focus is speed with integrity – the right job, at the right time, in the right way.
Who This Role Is For
This role suits people with backgrounds or strong interest in:
- Mental health services
- Wellbeing or recovery support
- Social care or community services
- Recruitment or resourcing
- Sales with a strong people focus
Ideal Skills & Experience
- Are confident working with mental health complexity
- Are proactive and relationship‑driven
- Are comfortable with targets and accountability
- Are organised and evidence‑focused
- Can balance pace with care and professionalism
- Take pride in structure, consistency and outcomes
Training & Support
Full IPS training and fidelity guidance will be provided. This is a specialist, high‑impact role. You will work with people who may have fluctuating mental health, experience anxiety, depression or severe mental illness, move quickly from readiness to job start, and need high‑touch support after entering work.
Requirements
- Work at pace without cutting corners
- Can build trust quickly
- Stay calm under pressure
- Are resilient, reflective and outcome‑focused
This role is demanding – and genuinely life‑changing.
Benefits
Because you'll be part of a mission‑driven organisation that invests in your growth and celebrates your impact. You'll get:
- Wellbeing support including GP, counselling and Headspace
- Discounts, pension and salary sacrifice options
- Enhanced benefits with service
- A culture built on ambition, pride, ownership and support
- Real opportunities for progression
Equal Opportunities
We are also a proud Disability Confident Employer. Adjustments are available at every stage.
IPS Employment Specialist in Essex employer: Get Set UK
As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will join a mission-driven organisation dedicated to transforming lives through meaningful employment for individuals with mental health needs. Our supportive work culture prioritises your professional growth, offering comprehensive training and wellbeing resources, while fostering a collaborative environment with clinical teams and local employers. With a strong focus on ambition, pride, and ownership, we celebrate your contributions and provide real opportunities for progression in South Essex.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the mental health and employment sectors. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet potential employers and colleagues. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships!
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in your job search. Don’t just wait for roles to be advertised; approach companies directly. Let them know you’re interested in working with them, especially if they align with your values and goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to mental health support and employment. Show your passion for helping others and your understanding of the IPS model. We want to see that you can balance speed with care!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace IPS Employment Specialist in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting people with mental health needs shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives and how this role aligns with your values.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in mental health services, social care, or recruitment. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their understanding of the IPS model and how they can contribute to our mission.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role. Remember, we want to know how you can help us change lives through work!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Get Set UK
✨Know the IPS Model Inside Out
Make sure you understand the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with its principles, especially how it focuses on rapid job search and employer partnerships. This will show your commitment to the role and help you articulate how you can apply these concepts in real-life scenarios.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As an IPS Employment Specialist, building relationships is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built trust with clients or employers in the past. Highlight your proactive approach and ability to connect with people, especially those facing mental health challenges.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
This role requires a balance of pace and care. Be ready to discuss how you manage your time and prioritise tasks effectively. Bring examples of how you've maintained high-quality records or tracked progress in previous roles, as this will reflect your evidence-focused mindset.
✨Prepare for Real-Life Scenarios
Expect situational questions that assess your ability to handle pressure and support individuals with fluctuating mental health. Think about how you would approach a client who is anxious about job interviews or a situation where a job placement isn't going as planned. Your answers should reflect resilience and a focus on positive outcomes.
