At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in recovery to find meaningful employment and build positive relationships with local employers.
- Company: Join Change Grow Live, a charity dedicated to empowering people and changing lives.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary, inclusive environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for ongoing learning and development in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while helping them achieve their employment goals.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 35000 £ per year.
Hucknall, Nottinghamshire | CGL
Permanent contract
Do you want to work for a Charity that empowers people? Do you want to be involved in something new that changes lives? As a part of the Change Grow Live team, you’ll make a difference and help people get to where they want to be.
Deadline: 7th July 2026
East Midlands
Full-time
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 Nottinghamshire 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
Where: Nottinghamshire, this vacancy will require travel throughout the areas Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe.
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent
Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.
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
- Manage a caseload of approximately 25 clients receiving structured treatment for substance use who are motivated to gain or return to employment.
- Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, supporting individuals into competitive paid employment.
- Complete Vocational Profiles and develop personalised Action Plans to help clients obtain and sustain employment.
- Provide support with job searching, CV writing, application forms, interview preparation and career development.
- Assess work-related support needs, including benefits advice, workplace disclosure and other employment barriers.
- Attend and contribute to weekly clinical team meetings as an embedded IPS practitioner.
- Source employment opportunities through employer engagement, tailored job searching and accessing hidden vacancies.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with local employers to create employment opportunities for clients.
- Provide education, advice and support to employers, including workplace adjustments and return-to-work strategies.
- Work collaboratively with treatment teams to generate referrals and promote employment as a key part of recovery.
- Deliver ongoing in-work support to both clients and employers to help sustain employment outcomes.
- Maintain an employer engagement database and accurate records of employer contacts.
- Arrange and conduct regular meetings with clients to review progress before and after securing employment.
- Advocate for clients by challenging inequality, reducing barriers and addressing discrimination in the workplace.
- Promote inclusive recruitment practices, including job carving and reasonable workplace adjustments.
- Develop partnerships with external agencies, colleges and training providers to support clients’ employment goals.
- Maintain accurate case notes and comply with data recording and reporting requirements.
- Monitor and evaluate outcomes in line with IPS best practice and service requirements.
- Contribute to service development and collect employment recovery stories from service users.
- Adhere to safeguarding, information governance and organisational policies and procedures.
- Undertake ongoing learning and development relating to substance use, mental health and employment support.
The person
- 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 (Individual Placement and Support) employer: IPS Grow
Change Grow Live is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals on their recovery journey through meaningful employment opportunities. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity, our Nottinghamshire team fosters a supportive work culture that values personal growth and collaboration. Employees benefit from ongoing professional development, a chance to make a real difference in people's lives, and the unique opportunity to engage with local employers to create sustainable job placements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support)
✨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 (Individual Placement and Support)
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 (Individual Placement and Support), 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!
