At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide person-centred employment support to individuals facing drug and alcohol dependency.
- Company: Join Haringey Council, a vibrant and inclusive workplace in a diverse community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days leave, hybrid working, health support, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team focused on transforming lives and strengthening communities.
- Why this job: Make a life-changing impact by empowering residents to achieve sustainable employment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience supporting people with complex needs required.
The predicted salary is between 42771 - 45750 £ per year.
Contract terms
- Starting salary: PO2 (£42,771 – £45,750)
- Work location: Wood Green Library, 187 High Road, London, N22 6BA
- Hours per week: 36 (Full-Time)
- Contract type: Permanent
- Closing date: Sunday, 29th March 2026 at 23:59
- Expected interview date: W/c 21st April 2026
About Haringey
Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work – the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We’ll be celebrating all this and more as the “rebel borough” when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture.
Our history champions change‑makers and everyday rebels; revelling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey’s people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community‑focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.
About the role
We are looking for a motivated and compassionate IPS Employment Specialist to deliver high‑quality, person‑centred employment support to individuals facing drug and/or alcohol dependency. In this role, you will work one‑to‑one with people to help them secure sustainable paid employment, using the evidence‑based Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model. You will manage a varied caseload, support clients in overcoming barriers to work, build strong relationships with employers, and work assertively to influence decision‑makers and advocate on behalf of the people you support. Your work will make a life‑changing difference, empowering residents to achieve long‑term recovery and improved wellbeing.
About the team
You will join a collaborative, multidisciplinary team committed to delivering outcomes that improve lives and strengthen communities. Working closely with health, social care, public health and voluntary sector partners, the team provides integrated, holistic support to residents who experience labour‑market exclusion. You will contribute to a service driven by compassion, high standards and evidence‑based practice, where knowledge of local employment, training and support pathways is shared to help each client move forward positively. The team culture is supportive, ambitious and focused on empowering both staff and service users to achieve meaningful, sustainable goals.
About you
You will be passionate about transforming lives and believe that everyone, regardless of their history or support needs, is capable of achieving paid employment. You will bring strong communication skills, excellent motivational and interpersonal abilities, and experience supporting people with complex needs across employment, health or social care settings. You must be highly organised, resilient, target‑driven and able to manage a busy and varied caseload. Experience of the IPS model, an understanding of the benefits system, and strong local knowledge of employment and training opportunities are all highly beneficial. Most importantly, you will have the empathy, drive and emotional intelligence needed to build trust, maintain productive relationships and deliver high‑quality, person‑centred support.
Working for Haringey
At Haringey Council we are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included, and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce so welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities so that we continue to make a difference to our residents and community. Our benefits package includes a leave entitlement of 31 days + bank holidays, potential hybrid working opportunities, health and wellbeing support, a generous local government pension scheme and a range of discount schemes across leisure and culture that provide both financial and money‑saving discounts.
Please note: we reserve the right to end this advert before the noted deadline if we receive sufficient applications. If you wish to apply for this role, please ensure that you do so as soon as possible. Additionally, we are aware that automated emails may be diverted through to junk email folders. Please continue to check these through the application process. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact ResourcingHub@haringey.gov.uk.
IPS Employment Specialist (Female) employer: Haringey Jobs London
Haringey Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and empowers employees to excel. With a generous benefits package including 31 days of leave, health and wellbeing support, and opportunities for hybrid working, staff are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the vibrant borough of Haringey, employees have the unique advantage of contributing to a community-focused environment that champions change and supports individuals facing challenges, making a meaningful impact on residents' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist (Female)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Haringey Jobs London.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Haringey Jobs London!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Haringey Jobs London, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Haringey Jobs London or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace IPS Employment Specialist (Female)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Haringey Jobs London:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Haringey Jobs London! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haringey Jobs London
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
