At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health needs in finding meaningful employment.
- Company: Change Grow Live, a leader in recovery-focused services.
- Benefits: Full-time role with a focus on community impact and personal growth.
- Other info: Inclusive work environment celebrating diversity and offering career development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building your career.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Chichester, West Sussex | Change Grow Live
Fixed term contract
Looking for a role where you can support people with mental health needs into meaningful employment and make a real difference in your community?
Deadline: 7th July 2026
South East
Full-time
Job overview
CGL have been a leading provider of recovery focused drug and alcohol services across England and Wales for over 20 years. Our innovation and creative approach allow us to provide a broad range of safe, high-quality health and social care services.
As an IPS Employment Specialist joining our West Sussex team you will be supporting people in recovery to find paid employment that is right for them, using the Individual Placement Support model of employment support.
Change Grow Live are committed to creating an inclusive work environment, which celebrates differences and allows our staff and service users to flourish. We recruit the very best people from a wide range of backgrounds, ensuring service users benefit from our diverse skills and expertise. We always work to the principles of fairness and equality of opportunity in all our recruitment processes.
Role
In this role, you’ll manage a caseload of 25 individuals receiving structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol use, helping them secure sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences. You’ll deliver the IPS model for our County South area, offering person-centered advice and guidance while fostering positive relationships with local employers to create employment opportunities. Your focus will be on helping clients sustain their employment while working collaboratively with treatment service staff to identify potential referrals and provide integrated support leading to job acquisition and retention.
IPS is a fundamental commitment in the Government’s Drug Strategy, revolutionising employment support in all treatment services in England. This evidence-based model ensures service users secure preference-led paid work, significantly more effective than any other support.
Responsibilities
See full job description
The person
About You:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent work experience
- Strong communication skills for effective relationship building
- Proficient in team management and support strategies
- Aptitude in data collection and reporting for IPS services
- Dedication to assisting individuals secure paid employment
- Proven ability to connect with individuals, especially those affected by substance misuse
- Able to work flexibly across a county-wide area and across community locations
Employment Specialist in Chichester employer: IPS Grow
Change Grow Live is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community by supporting individuals with mental health needs in their journey towards sustainable employment. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity, our West Sussex team fosters a collaborative work culture that empowers employees to grow professionally while making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. We offer comprehensive training, ongoing support, and the opportunity to work within a pioneering model of employment support that is at the forefront of the Government’s Drug Strategy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist in Chichester
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by IPS Grow.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like IPS Grow.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at IPS Grow.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at IPS Grow. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist in Chichester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of IPS Grow. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Employment Specialist, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at IPS Grow
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of IPS Grow. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
