IPS Employment Specialist in Torquay

I Can Do That! CIC is looking for a motivated and person‑centred IPS Employment Specialist to join our Connect to Work team in Torbay. Connect to Work is a voluntary supported employment programme designed to help people with disabilities, health conditions and complex barriers to employment move towards, find and sustain meaningful work. The programme uses evidence‑based supported employment models, including Individual Placement and Support and the Supported Employment Quality Framework.

This role will involve working directly with participants to understand their strengths, skills, aspirations and barriers, then supporting them to move into paid employment or self‑employment where appropriate. You will also provide in‑work support to help participants sustain employment and progress in their role.

Main purpose of the job

The IPS Employment Specialist will provide personalised, one-to‑one employment support to participants on the Connect to Work provision. The role will involve building strong relationships with participants, employers, referral partners and wider support services to help people access the right job opportunities and maintain employment. The role follows a “place, train and maintain” approach, meaning participants are supported to move into work as soon as they are ready, with ongoing support provided around them and the employer where appropriate.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of Connect to Work participants in Torbay.
• Complete vocational profiles and identify each participant’s skills, interests, employment goals, support needs and barriers.
• Create personalised employment action plans with participants.
• Support participants with job searching, applications, CVs, interview preparation and confidence building.
• Work with participants to explore suitable paid employment or self‑employment options.
• Build positive relationships with local employers to identify vacancies, hidden job opportunities and suitable job matches.
• Provide support around disclosure, reasonable adjustments and workplace communication where required.
• Work closely with employers to support successful job starts and sustained employment.
• Provide in‑work support to participants once they have entered employment.
• Liaise with referral partners, health services, community organisations and other professionals where this supports the participant’s employment journey.
• Maintain accurate, timely and compliant records of participant activity, progress, outcomes and employer engagement.
• Work towards programme targets, key performance indicators and fidelity requirements.
• Attend supervision, team meetings, training and case reviews as required.
• Represent I Can Do That! CIC professionally in the community.

About you

We are looking for someone who is practical, approachable and passionate about helping people move forward in their lives.

Qualifications and experience

• Experience of supporting people with barriers to work, health conditions, disabilities, mental health needs or complex personal circumstances.
• A good understanding of employability support and employer engagement.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Confidence working with employers and external partners.
• The ability to motivate, encourage and support people in a person‑centred way.
• Excellent organisation and case management skills.
• The ability to work independently and manage a busy caseload.
• Good IT skills and the ability to keep accurate records.
• A commitment to equality, inclusion and safeguarding.

Desirable experience

• Individual Placement and Support.
• Connect to Work, supported employment, employability, mentoring or welfare‑to‑work provision.
• Working with people with mental health needs, disabilities, neurodivergence or complex barriers.
• Employer engagement or recruitment.
• Providing in‑work support.
• Working with Department for Work and Pensions, local authority, NHS, voluntary sector or community referral partners.

Personal qualities

• Person‑centred and non‑judgemental.
• Confident, friendly and professional.
• Able to build trust quickly.
• Resilient and solution‑focused.
• Organised and reliable.
• Comfortable working in the community.
• Committed to helping people achieve meaningful and sustainable employment.

What we offer

• A rewarding role supporting people in Torbay to improve their lives through employment.
• Supportive team environment.
• Training and development relevant to the role.
• Fixed‑term employment with a high likelihood of extension for up to a further three years, subject to funding and contract continuation.
• The opportunity to be part of a growing Connect to Work provision.

Additional information

This role may involve working across community venues, partner sites, employer premises and I Can Do That! CIC offices. An enhanced DBS check may be required depending on the nature of delivery and participant group. I Can Do That! CIC is committed to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from candidates who share our values and want to make a positive difference in the local community.