IPS Team Manager in Sunderland

Are you ready to lead a team that transforms lives through the power of meaningful employment? Triage is seeking an IPS Team Manager in Sunderland — a dynamic leader who can inspire, guide, and develop a team of Employment Specialists to deliver high‑quality, person‑centred support.

Who is Triage? Triage provides information, advice, guidance, skills, workplace training, work preparation and supportive recruitment services that help people secure a job, progress in the workplace and build meaningful careers. Delivering from locations across Scotland and England, Triage partners with multiple public, private and community organisations. Working with local, regional, and national stakeholders, prime contractors and Jobcentre Plus, we deliver employment, education and training programmes that respond to the social, cultural, inclusive and economic growth agendas.

We are looking for people to join us, who reflect our values. With offices across the UK, our values are what helps unite our teams and provides us with a sense of belonging. For us, our five values frame our interactions and set standards both internally and externally – they are the building blocks on how we do business: “We thrive together”, “We do something amazing every day”, “We never give up”, “We know our knowledge is power”, “We act with kindness”.

The IPS Team Manager will lead and supervise a team of IPS Employment Specialists delivering high-quality, person-centred employment support. This role will also lead on employer engagement, to promote and generate referrals to the service. The programme will support individuals with health conditions (including mental health), disabilities and complex barriers to employment, to gain and sustain meaningful paid employment, and is built around the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, which is an evidence-based approach to vocational rehabilitation.

This position is a crucial leadership role in guaranteeing we continue to make a positive difference and achieve financial, performance and quality targets set by our commissioner. The service will be delivered across local communities and will also cover Gateshead therefore a willingness to travel across the region as often as is required is essential.

Triage is a Disability Confident Employer who wishes to engage and encourage people with a disability or long-term health condition, ensuring they have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the job and make reasonable adjustments to ensure candidates are not disadvantaged in any way.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the IPS service is delivered in line with evidence-based IPS principles.
• Support staff in delivering tailored, strengths-based employment support.
• Mentor and role model IPS delivery through directly supporting/overseeing caseloads as required along with employer engagement and clinical integration.
• Guide, mentor and coach the team to deliver on employment and job development strategies.
• Lead by example by encouraging individuals to recognise, understand and manage factors that affect their mental wellbeing and physical health.
• Support the Operations Manager with quality assurance, including fidelity reviews and audits.
• Manage referrals and ensure equitable access to the service.
• Monitor customer service and resolve complaints to reduce escalation.

Leadership & Development

• Support and develop a team of IPS Employment Specialists, providing supervision, coaching, and professional development, promoting training opportunities and addressing capability gaps to enhance overall performance.
• Embed IPS principles across the service, ensuring practices like rapid job search, zero exclusion and integration with clinical teams are upheld.
• Conduct regular supervision, caseload reviews and performance management activities in line with the Triage Performance Management Framework and the Fidelity Scale.
• Promote a collaborative and inclusive team culture focused on recovery and empowerment.
• Monitor and report on team performance against set KPIs and IPS fidelity standards.
• Promote the importance of continuous improvement and reflective practice.
• Support with recruitment, onboarding, and training of new IPS staff in collaboration with L&D and the Operations Manager.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain effective relationships with clinical teams, commissioners and community partners in collaboration with partnership roles.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, creating referral opportunities and collaborative working practices to support participants.
• Represent the IPS service at partnership meetings and forums.
• Promote the IPS model and advocate for employment as a key recovery goal.
• Advocate for IPS principles and contribute to service development and innovation.
• Share best practice with internal and sub-contractor managers on various topics including quality, employer engagement and partnership working.

Data Reporting

• Oversee accurate data collection and reporting.
• Analyse service data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Prepare reports for commissioners, funders, and senior management.

Required criteria:

• Proven people management experience in operational management within health, social care, or employment services.
• Skilled in managing geographically dispersed teams, fostering collaboration and cohesion across varied settings.
• Experience in building relationships with stakeholders to support seamless service delivery.
• Good understanding of the IPS model and its application in mental health and/or supported employment settings.
• Able to lead by example through proven experience of managing and progressing a caseload of individuals with complex barriers towards sustainable employment.
• Ability to analyse data, produce reports, and use insights to drive improvement.
• Exceptional communication skills, (verbal, non-verbal, written, listening) with the ability to build collaborative relationships at all levels.
• Ability to multitask and effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proven solutions focused, self-motivated people manager, able to work independently.
• Committed to and strong understanding of safeguarding in vulnerable adults.
• Commitment to recovery-oriented and person-centred approaches.
• Knowledge of local labour market and employer engagement strategies.
• Driver with a car and willingness to travel, as required.
• Familiarity with fidelity reviews and IPS performance frameworks.
• Experience in the Employability and/or Adult Skills sector.
• Knowledge of employment law, welfare benefits, and vocational rehabilitation.
• Experience of supporting the implementation of a new programme/service.