At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support individuals with mental health challenges in finding and retaining employment.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in mental health services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on community engagement and service development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health support and leadership in health or social care settings.
The predicted salary is between 49387 - 56515 £ per year.
Are you looking for a career where you can make a positive difference to the lives of people with mental health difficulties? Do you believe you have the leadership skills to manage a team of Lead Employment Specialists and Employment Specialists, to support people to retain, find and sustain employment? If so, this role may be just what you're looking for!
We are seeking a motivated and experienced individual to manage the IPS Service, which supports people experiencing severe mental health challenges and other barriers to employment, to retain existing employment, return to work, or secure competitive paid employment. The role combines leadership, service development, partnership working and ensuring high-quality, person-centred interventions that improve employment outcomes.
90% of people with Severe mental illness want to work, but currently only 8% are in work. Getting into employment can be a critical part of a recovery journey, so as a Community Manager, you will be supporting a team of Lead Employment Specialists and Employment Specialists, providing supervision, training and role modelling of the IPS approach. This is a dynamic and diverse role, where you will also work as part of mental health teams to promote employment and raise expectations around the ability of service users to retain and access paid employment. The ability to network in the local community and build strong relationships is essential.
Main duties of the job
- Provide effective management, leadership and clinical guidance for the IPS Service
- Lead on service development and continued expansion to meet ambitious referral/access targets set by NHS England
- Be responsible for managing the budget and take accountability for service KPIs
- Lead the team during IPS Fidelity Reviews and Guided Self Assessments and help build adherence to the IPS model
- Promote and nurture a positive team environment with open communication, collaboration and a shared goal
- Work within the principles of the IPS model; to monitor the team's performance and collated and submitted data monthly (this will be shared with NHS England, IPS Grow and other stakeholders)
- Liaise closely with key internal/external stakeholders
- Have experience both in the field of employment support and with clients experiencing mental ill health
The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.
About us
We have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues working in a diverse range of services over 55 sites and within people's homes. We strive to enable a welcoming workplace culture that builds and celebrates civility, inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust.
Annual staff surveys, regular Pulse surveys and other engagement opportunities provide our people with lots of opportunity to tell us about their experiences of working with us. In the latest staff survey, 61% of colleagues gave us their views. It was great to hear that:
- 72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work, ranking us 1st for Provider Trusts in the South West region on this question.
- 76% would recommend the standard of care provided in our services if a friend or relative needed treatment, also ranking us 1st in the South West region.
- 81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust's priority, compared with an average in comparable NHS Trusts in England of 64%.
This high-level overview shows we are in a healthy position, with higher scores than average for comparable organisations, alongside a great response rate, indicating good staff engagement. However, we also know we have plenty of room for improvement in many areas. To that end, we continue to prioritise and invest in our commitment to genuinely becoming a Great Place to Work with consistent top-quartile performance in the annual staff survey and Pulse surveys.
Details
- Date posted: 11 September 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 7
- Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 327-26-721
- Job locations: Pullman Place, Great Western Road, Gloucester, GL1 3NF, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification in documents for full details of the role.
The Trust is required to work in line with the Governments UK Visa and Immigration Rules and Regulations. For more information about sponsorship for certain roles, please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Essential: Relevant professional Qualification; Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy
- Accredited post registration training/qualification (equivalent to Masters level) relevant to people with mental health difficulties
- Desirable: Management Qualification, Masters Degree, Coaching and Mentoring qualification at level 5 or above
Experience
- Essential: Experience of working with service users with complex care needs requiring higher levels of expertise
- Leadership/management experience in a health or social care setting
- Significant experience of working with individuals with severe and enduring mental health difficulties
- Experience of service development, change management and service expansion
- Experience of audit, research and the application of evidence-based practice
- Experience of budget management and meeting service targets and KPIs
- Desirable: Significant experience of recruitment/employment/retention and supporting individuals with mental health difficulties to find/sustain work
- Trained in IPS model and IPS Supervisors Course
Knowledge
- Essential: Knowledge of relevant legislation and best practice in relation to employment and mental health
- Knowledge of HR processes, equality and diversity and performance management
- Understanding of commissioning/contract management
- Desirable: Broad understanding of national vocational policies and local implementation. A good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment including vocational assessment and profiling skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
Employer details
Employer name: Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Pullman Place, Great Western Road, Gloucester, GL1 3NF, United Kingdom
Community Manager – Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Services in Gloucester employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Manager – Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Services in Gloucester
✨Get Involved with Local Charities
Get hands-on experience by volunteering with local charities or organisations in your area. This not only helps you build practical skills but also gets you noticed by potential placements like those at National Health Service. Plus, they often have insider info on who’s hiring!
✨Join Student and Professional Networks
Tap into student networks and professional bodies related to social work. Attend events or workshops they organise, as this is a great way to meet people in the field and make valuable connections that could lead to placements at places like National Health Service.
✨Showcase Your Passion Online
Start a blog or a social media page dedicated to social work topics. Share your thoughts on relevant issues or spotlight local projects you're involved in. This helps build your visibility and shows that you’re passionate, which placement providers like National Health Service will definitely notice!
✨Stay Ahead with Applications
Many social work placements have specific application windows, so keep an eye on these and prepare early. Use university career services to refine your approach and research organisations like National Health Service that align with your values and aspirations!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Manager – Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Services in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Empathy Skills:In social work, empathy isn’t just a buzzword – it’s the heart of the profession! Use your cover letter to highlight specific experiences where you've demonstrated compassion and understanding. Whether it's through volunteer work, previous placements, or even personal experiences, make sure National Health Service sees your human side.
Tailor Your CV to Highlight Relevant Experiences:When crafting your CV, focus on your relevant experiences in social work or related fields. Include any placements, volunteering, or coursework that showcase your understanding of social issues. Don’t forget to mention any specific training or certifications you've acquired – it’s these details that’ll catch National Health Service's attention!
Express Your Passion for Learning:Since this is a placement, show us how eager you are to learn and grow in the field of social work. In your cover letter, talk about why you chose social work as a career. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm for making a difference and your commitment to developing your skills on the job.
Include Real-World Examples:When discussing your skills and experiences, try to include concrete examples that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and teamwork. Whether it’s a group project from your studies, a case study you’ve worked on, or even life experiences, make those details shine in your application to show how you'd fit into the National Health Service team!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Health Service
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
When it comes to social work placements, it's all about demonstrating your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share personal stories or experiences that highlight your motivation for joining this field. We want to see that you've got that genuine passion and empathy that makes a great social worker.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving abilities and ethical judgement. They might ask how you’d handle a challenging client or navigate a sensitive situation, so think through your responses and be ready to show how you can apply your knowledge in real-life contexts. It’s a good idea to review common case studies in social work to get into the right mindset.
✨Know Your Theories
Brush up on the key social work theories and frameworks that underpin practice. Being able to reference these during your interview can really impress your interviewers at National Health Service. We suggest relating them to your own understanding of situations, showing you're ready to apply theory to practice.
✨Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn
Since this is a placement, your potential for growth is just as important as your current skills. Make sure to express your eagerness to learn from experienced professionals and your openness to feedback. Discuss how you plan to develop during your time at National Health Service and how that aligns with your career goals in social work.
