At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting individuals in recovery to find meaningful employment.
- Company: Intuitive Thinking Skills, dedicated to empowering diverse life experiences.
- Benefits: Permanent contract, full-time role with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on community engagement and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them achieve sustainable employment.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment support and leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26912 - 32892 £ per year.
Leicestershire & Rutland | Intuitive Thinking Skills
Permanent contract
Lead and develop an IPS team supporting people in drug and alcohol treatment across Leicestershire and Rutland to achieve meaningful, sustainable paid employment.
Deadline: 6th November 2026
East Midlands
Full-time
Job overview
Intuitive Thinking Skills place a high value on the life experiences of individuals, regardless of their backgrounds. As such, all roles within the organisation are primarily focussed on fostering these experiences, supporting employees to thrive in whatever sector they are working in. This emphasis on the skills of our workforce is primary to all other activities, as without a relevantly skilled, empowered and highly motivated workforce we will fail to support the needs and aspirations of our customers.
Our IPS Service supports individuals facing drug and alcohol challenges to build a meaningful, sustainable positive future through integrating employment as a part of their recovery. We are committed to embedding the voices, expertise and leadership of people with living & lived experiences in everything we do, from service design to delivery and evaluation.
Role
Key relationships: Local employers, Organisation managers, human resources, clinical teams, user groups, VCS organisations, local colleges, local employment services, and Jobcentre Plus.
About the role:
IPS (Individual Placement and Support) is an employment support approach for working with people with complex needs that provides intensive, individually tailored support to help people find meaningful and lasting paid work. The post holder will provide employment professional supervision to a team of 2 to 4 Employment Specialists, and will lead the on-going development of Individual Placement and Support Model within a local drug and alcohol service. They will be responsible for their daily management, achievement of key outcomes and compliance to IPS national standards. The Employment Specialist Lead will also hold a reduced caseload of their own.
Individual Placement & Support:
- Managing a limited caseload of up to 10 people in drug and alcohol treatment services who wish to return to, or start, paid employment.
- Clients will be worked with for an unlimited time whilst they work towards their goals, with an offer of ongoing in work support once in employment.
- Building effective working relationships with local employers, training providers and colleges to secure employment for people in community treatment for substance misuse, including ensuring the service is focused on accessing the ‘hidden’ labour market.
- Providing job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualised to the interests and uniqueness of the client, following the evidence-based principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
- Providing ongoing support according to both the employee’s and employer’s needs to enable people who have experienced dependency on drugs and/or alcohol to retain employment once secured.
- Ensuring that people are provided with help and advice to apply for posts in open employment, and advised about accessing in-work welfare benefits as appropriate.
- Promoting the profile of employment within the clinical team, and raising expectations around the ability of clients to attain paid work.
- Developing the day to day operational practices of the Employment Specialist Team.
- Provision of IPS supervision to Employment Specialists based in your locality.
- Ensuring that services achieve and maintain good fidelity to the evidence-based IPS model.
Responsibilities
Overview of main responsibilities:
- To provide leadership and employment professional supervision to Employment Specialists within the team.
- To provide field mentoring to employment staff to enable them to further develop their practice and increase outcomes.
- To liaise with OHID IPS Manager, senior practitioners and managers within the service around the on-going implementation of the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support Model.
- To work with client keyworkers and clinical staff, including through case conferencing, to ensure that clients receive appropriate support from everyone involved in their care during the return to work process.
- To lead a local employer engagement strategy to involve employers (including the local authority and partner services), and open-up and secure work experience and paid employment opportunities for people in treatment for drug and/or alcohol dependency.
- To provide advice and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments and on-going contact with supervisors to ensure job retention.
- To assess individual support needs related to work which might typically include help with benefits, travel to work, managing health and work etc.
- To work flexibly on occasion as required by clients and employers, which may require some working out of normal office hours.
- To participate in your own IPS and management supervision, objective setting/appraisal, and professional development plan.
- To provide regular IPS supervision to Employment Specialists, including group supervision to the team, and overseeing their professional development plans.
Policy and/or service development
- To work with the Employment Specialists, and service management to ensure that vocational support services offered continue to develop effectively.
- To ensure that effective referral procedures to IPS provision from the clinical and recovery teams are in place.
- To ensure participation in monitoring and evaluation systems to accurately capture and report Key Performance Items.
IPS Employment Specialist Team Lead employer: IPS Grow
At Shaw Trust, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where every employee can thrive. Our commitment to social purpose means that as an Employment Specialist, you will play a vital role in transforming lives while enjoying a collaborative culture that values your contributions. With opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the South West community, Shaw Trust is an exceptional employer for those passionate about social mobility and equality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist Team Lead
✨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 Team Lead
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.
