At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health challenges to secure and maintain meaningful employment.
- Company: Join the South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust IPS team.
- Benefits: Permanent contract, full-time hours, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Empower others while working in a collaborative, community-focused environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment support or transferable skills; passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 37338 - 44500 £ per year.
South West London and St Georges NHS Mental Health Trust is seeking Employment Specialists to support individuals with mental health challenges in securing and maintaining meaningful employment in a collaborative, community-based setting.
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an internationally recognised evidence-based model for supporting people with serious mental illness back into employment as part of their recovery. IPS is expanding across England with the NHS committed to ensuring more people have access to employment support across both primary and secondary care systems.
As an Employment Specialist, you will work with a small caseload of 20-25 individuals who are experiencing severe mental illness. You will collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals to ensure that employment is part of the recovery plan for our patients.
A core part of IPS is the work we do with local employers. In this role, you will be responsible for employer engagement in line with client preferences and help bridge the gap into competitive employment that many of our clients need support with.
Responsibilities:- Manage a caseload of a maximum of 25 service users who are currently off work/unemployed and wish to return to work.
- Gain referrals from both primary and secondary care services for service users wanting to return to employment.
- Meet regularly with health professionals to co-ordinate and integrate employment support into health treatment.
- Prepare individuals for a return to work by assessing each person’s individual employment needs through vocational profiling/assessment.
- Provide individualised support to individuals once they have returned to work to assist them in sustaining employment.
- Proactively engage and work with employers to retain employment opportunities for people who have experienced mental health problems.
- Provide education and support to employers, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy, and ongoing contact with the employer to ensure job retention.
- Provide outreach services as necessary to individuals when they appear to disengage from the service.
- Assess individuals' support needs related to work, including help with benefits, travel to work, graded return to work, etc.
We welcome applications from those already working in IPS or other employment programmes, as well as individuals with relevant and transferable skills who are willing to learn and develop in the IPS approach to employment support.
Please use the supporting information section of the online application form to detail the skills and experience you have that relate to the person specification and explain why a career in IPS is right for you.
Employment Specialist x 8 employer: IPS Grow
Join the South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust as an Employment Specialist, where you will be part of a pioneering team dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health challenges in their journey towards meaningful employment. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth and development, offering extensive training in the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, while our commitment to community engagement ensures that you will make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. With a focus on inclusivity and support, this role provides a unique opportunity to work closely with local employers and health professionals, making it an excellent place for passionate individuals looking to contribute to a vital cause in a vibrant London setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist x 8
✨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 IPS Grow.
✨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 IPS Grow!
✨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 IPS Grow, 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 IPS Grow 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 Employment Specialist x 8
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 IPS Grow:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to IPS Grow! 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 IPS Grow
✨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.
