At a Glance
- Tasks: Help individuals with mental health needs find and sustain employment.
- Company: Join the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in mental health support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, excellent pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while championing mental health awareness.
- Qualifications: Experience in health, social care, or recruitment is essential.
The predicted salary is between 28392 - 31157 £ per year.
Would you like an opportunity to help people who have mental health needs find work and help sustain employment? Do you currently work or have experience in health or social care, recruitment, employment or education services? If you have transferable skills to enable people to find/sustain employment, this is an excellent opportunity to join our team of Employment Specialists.
Our service has the IPS status as a National Centre of Excellence (Centre for Mental Health) and we require an empathetic and driven individual to join our team as an Employment Specialist in Ipswich, Suffolk on a Permanent Contract. You will be tasked with helping people with mental health needs to realise and achieve their paid employment goals including support with job searching, applications, interview skills and providing support after they have found work. As well as supporting those already in work with sustaining their employment, where their mental health is a contributing factor. You will be driven to build strong and lasting relationships with local employers, championing IPS and the individuals you support.
This is an opportunity to be embedded within the East & Central Suffolk 'Early Intervention in Psychosis' team - the role will see you become a vital part of the recovery planning and processes for this team, providing employment services to their service users.
Main duties of the job
You must have strong communication skills and confidence in order to build up relationships with all relevant stakeholders including employers and businesses. You will be required to directly engage with a range of stakeholders (e.g. DWP, Job Centre +, employment law firms, voluntary organisations etc.) but especially local employers in order to create opportunities for service users and to challenge stigma and discrimination that can at times be associated with mental health needs and employment. You will also be meeting and working with people and stakeholders in their local community.
You will work within multi-disciplinary Mental Health Teams, alongside clinical colleagues and will be expected to 'champion the employment agenda', instilling the belief that people with mental health needs want to work and with the right support can work; and therefore generating referrals to the service. You will work in partnership with individual service users, developing relationships that are enabling and empowering. You will be providing an evidence based supported employment service (called Individual Placement and Support/IPS) which will require you to prepare individuals for employment by assessing needs; identifying strengths, help with benefits, support networks, travel to work plans etc.
About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you. Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential. Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks. If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling. We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
- Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
- Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
- £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
- Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
- Work that wraps around your needs.
- Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
- Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Job responsibilities
You will work to individual targets, i.e. the number of people supported into employment. You will be skilled in managing your own time and working with a high level of autonomy; responsible to the Team Leader via regular supervision and support and accountable to the Service Manager. You will promote best practice within mental health and employment in the Trust and other organisations in the local area.
Please note this may close early if sufficient number of applications are received.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Essential: Good standard of education; NVQ 3 or equivalent
- Desirable: Educated to degree level; Health and Social care related qualification
Knowledge
- Essential: Vocational assessment and profiling; Knowledge of good practice in employment; Knowledge of relevant Welfare Benefits and benefits rules
- Desirable: An understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment; Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010
Experience
- Essential: Experience of working within health, social care or the voluntary sector with people who have experienced mental health problems; Experience of helping people obtain or sustain employment/training; An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems; Literate in IT/Computer Skills; Experience of working with a range of stakeholders (including employers) to support people into employment
- Desirable: Experience and knowledge of the benefits agency and all disability/employment related benefits.
Personal Qualities/Skills
- Essential: Ability to assess service users' employment skills and needs; Able to construct and review person-centered action plans; Ability to be flexible, open and creative in problem solving; Ability to initiate and develop relationships with employers; Excellent marketing and promotional skills; Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently; Shares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour; Ability to facilitate solutions to difficult situations
- Desirable: Report writing skills; Ability to analyse, interpret and present monitoring data.
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.
IPS Employment Specialist (Early Intervention in Psychosis) in Ipswich employer: National health service
At Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting our staff's growth and wellbeing. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, while our comprehensive benefits package, including generous holiday entitlement and a strong pension scheme, ensures that you are valued and recognised for your hard work. Join us in Ipswich, where you will have the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with mental health needs, all within a supportive and empowering environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist (Early Intervention in Psychosis) in Ipswich
✨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 National health service.
✨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 National health service!
✨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 National health service, 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 National health service 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 (Early Intervention in Psychosis) in Ipswich
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 National health service:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to National health service! 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 National health service
✨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.
