Mental Health Employment Specialist

Closing date: 22 April 2026

We have an opportunity to work within LPFT\’s Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Team as a Mental Health Employment Specialist, working with service users in the Adult Community Division to help them find and retain paid employment as part of their recovery journey.

These four posts are available: one in Spalding, two in Lincoln, and a South‑West retention Employment Specialist post based in Sleaford.

Main duties of the job

The postholder provides IPS services to a caseload of service users, assists other Mental Health Employment Specialists with complex case management, and works closely with the Service Lead to further develop and expand the service.

They collaborate with a wide range of employers and partners, helping service users overcome employment barriers and ensuring access to paid employment as part of recovery. The role requires autonomy, community‑based work, and close collaboration across the Trust’s Adult Community Division.

About us

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health services, learning disability, autism, and social care services across Lincolnshire. With around 2,800 staff and a population of over 766,000, we are a nationally recognised trust known for outstanding care, high staff morale, and inclusive practices. We offer flexible working, training, promotion opportunities, and comprehensive support for diversity.

Job responsibilities

The following responsibilities are essential for success in this role:
– Provide Individual Placement and Support services to a caseload of service users.
– Collaborate with other specialists and stakeholders.
– Develop and expand the IPS service.
– Work autonomously within the community.

Benefits

• Early access to Psychological Therapies and Physiotherapy
• Competitive annual leave allowance
• Car leasing scheme
• Free eye tests
• Salary sacrifice scheme for savings
• Discounts at major high‑street retailers and restaurants

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree level education or equivalent experience in supported employment
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent diploma level training
• Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Psychology, or Employment qualifications
• IPS training
• Motivational interviewing training

Experience

• Experience initiating, liaising, and collaborating with employers and organisations to promote employment for service users.
• Experience working with mental health service users to implement individual programmes and interventions.
• Experience engaging with employers and employment providers to secure opportunities for service users.
• Knowledge of employment legislation protecting disability equality.
• Ability to identify and implement improvements to service delivery.
• Experience constructing and reviewing tailored programmes using a person‑centred approach.
• Knowledge of vocational assessment and profiling of service users’ needs.
• Recent experience helping service users achieve employment goals.
• Knowledge of benefits agencies and disability‑related benefits.
• Knowledge of the IPS model.
• Personal experience of using Mental Health services.
• Experience collecting caseload and outcome data.
• Experience managing and supervising support staff.

Skills

• Enthusiastic and committed to supporting people with mental health conditions to find paid employment.
• Working knowledge of therapeutic models to engage and retain service users.
• Understanding of work benefits in recovery and a positive attitude to overcoming barriers.
• Excellent marketing, negotiation, and persuasive skills.
• Analytical skills to assess and support individual employment needs.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of mental health issues.
• Adaptability to new challenges.
• Ability to support an individual’s recovery.
• Knowledge of local employment issues, government policy, and Trust priorities.
• Experience delivering training and presentations to colleagues and agencies.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits and rules.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel independently to other bases and service‑user homes.
• Flexible and able to support extended hours if required.
• Cover for team members working in other areas.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to ensure no criminal convictions.