At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in recovery to find meaningful employment and rebuild their lives.
- Company: Via, a compassionate organisation dedicated to helping others thrive.
- Benefits: Full training provided, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on positive change and personal growth.
- Why this job: Be a hero in your community by empowering others through work.
- Qualifications: Compassionate communicator with a passion for supporting vulnerable groups.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Croydon | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Permanent contract
Interested in supporting individuals with mental health conditions to achieve their employment goals?Work as an Employment Specialist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in London.
Deadline: 19th October 2026
- London
- Full-time
Job overview
Work Well is a department within South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust that supports people to find work.
Our mission is to support people who are unemployed in achieving their own career goals. We believe everyone can work, and people should have choice about the type of work they want to do, and when to do it. Our vision for the future is a society where everyone can work, if they want to.
Our values are:
- Person-centred: we don’t tell people what to do, we give them information so they can make their own career decisions.
- Empowering: we don’t do things for people, we give them tools so they can do things themselves.
- Inspiring: we don’t just help people find a job, we help them set long term career goals for the life they want to live.
Role
- To provide an effective employment service for people with severe and enduring mental health conditions who want to work.
- To work as part of a multi-disciplinary mental health team, working alongside other mental health and social care professionals, providing joined-up mental health care.
- To develop partnerships with employers, local providers and services to ensure that the employment support needs of clients are met.
- To work as part of the Work Well network, sharing knowledge and expertise with a range of other employment professionals across Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
Responsibilities
- Promoting the employment service to mental health professionals, service users and carers, to ensure a steady flow of referrals.
- Helping clients to identify and consider options for obtaining work and staying in work, and set their own personal job goals; assessing their needs and developing appropriate actions plans to overcome barriers to work.
- Delivering individually tailored one-to-one employment coaching support to a diverse range of clients, considering their individual needs, using a range of communication methods including face-to-face appointments, video meetings, telephone calls, emails, texts and social media.
- Networking and engaging with local employers to identify job opportunities that meet the needs of clients and the employer.
- Challenging clients, employers, and other professionals when appropriate to reduce negative beliefs, stigma and discrimination (including self-stigma and self-discrimination).
- Working as part of a team, sharing knowledge and expertise, and contributing to team meetings, service development activities and the wider Work Well network.
- Typing clear and concise session notes, entering data onto electronic databases, and obtaining written evidence of outcomes (e.g. job starts) in a timely manner, ensuring that files and systems are always up-to-date and accurate.
- Working independently to manage own time and workload and keeping track of own progress towards targets.
The person
- Educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge gained through relevant work
- Recent experience of supporting or coaching individuals on a one-to-one basis (in a voluntary role or paid role), verified by an employer reference
- Demonstrates clear understanding of what the Employment Coach role involves
- Demonstrates an understanding of IAPT and Secondary Care Health Services
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with others clearly (verbally and non-verbally), negotiate, persuade, and influence, and work as part of a team
- High standard of written English
- Confident using digital technology and proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams
- High level of learning agility; adapts positively to change and feedback
- Excellent time management; plans and organises own workload independently
- Exceptional listening skills; able to perceive and interpret verbal and non-verbal messages
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IPS Employment Specialist employer: IPS Grow
Join the South West London and St George’s Mental Health 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 unique opportunities to engage with local employers and make a tangible impact in the community. With a commitment to inclusivity and recovery, we provide a supportive environment that values your contributions and encourages your career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist
✨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 IPS Employment Specialist
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.
