Employment Specialists in Wigan

Are you passionate about helping people with mental health conditions find and keep meaningful employment? Join The Growth Company as an Employment Specialist and support individuals to overcome barriers, achieve their career goals and thrive through the evidence-based IPS approach.

The Growth Company is a major UK-based social enterprise and not-for-profit organization headquartered in Greater Manchester. For over 35 years, they have focused on enabling economic growth, creating jobs, and improving lives through business support, employment services, and skills training. Their extensive services and outreach span across the UK, with a heavy emphasis on the North of England, Midlands, and Yorkshire.

The Growth Company (GC) Employment, Justice and Health team is looking for a dedicated Employment Specialist to join us on our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) service. IPS is an evidence-based employment program for people with severe mental illness (SMI) that helps them secure competitive, paid employment rapidly, with ongoing, personalised support. It focuses on integrating Employment Specialists directly into community mental health teams rather than using traditional vocational training.

We are continuing to expand our services that support people with health and mental health conditions. We are therefore particularly keen to hear from you if you have experience of working in either employability, employer engagement, the health or mental health sectors. We have 2 openings for this position.

• Manage a caseload of clients who are motivated to start or return to work, supporting them through the IPS approach to overcome work, skills and health barriers and secure sustainable employment.
• Provide IPS support to clients who are currently employed but struggling to retain their job due to their mental health.
• Meet with clients to identify their skills, aspirations and goals by completing a Vocational Profile and developing an Action Plan. Provide support with job search, CV writing, application forms, interview preparation and career development.
• Build effective working relationships with clinical teams to generate referrals and promote employment as a positive intervention, attending weekly multidisciplinary meetings as an embedded IPS practitioner.
• Source suitable job opportunities through tailored job searches and proactive engagement with local employers, including exploring hidden and advertised vacancies.
• Provide ongoing in-work support to both clients and employers, including negotiating reasonable adjustments and return-to-work strategies to help sustain employment.
• Ensure all participant records, documentation and data entered into the CRM system are accurate, compliant and maintained in a timely and respectful manner.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with employers and external agencies, including training providers and community organisations, to support individuals in achieving their employment goals.

• Supporting clients to secure and sustain suitable employment.
• Engaging with employers and developing business opportunities.
• Providing guidance, advice, and counselling to individuals.
• Working with disabled people or similar client groups in health, social care, or voluntary sectors.
• Understanding the issues affecting individuals with multiple barriers to employment, including mental health, housing, and substance misuse.
• Trained in, or willing to undertake training in, the IPS approach.

We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK.