At a Glance
- Tasks: Help individuals with mental health challenges find and sustain meaningful employment.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with a focus on equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while supporting others on their recovery journey.
- Qualifications: A-Level education or equivalent, strong communication skills, and experience in employment support.
The predicted salary is between 29693 - 29693 £ per year.
Location: Gosport and Havant
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03 per annum
Starting salary of £29,693 per annum
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About the Role
We're looking for a passionate and motivated Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialist to help people experiencing severe mental health difficulties find and sustain meaningful paid employment. Working as part of a multidisciplinary mental health team, you'll deliver person-centred employment support that empowers individuals to achieve their career aspirations as part of their recovery journey. Using the evidence-based IPS model, you'll provide tailored support from initial career planning through to securing employment and offering ongoing in-work support for both clients and employers. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference by helping people build confidence, independence and improved wellbeing through employment.
About the Service
Our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) service is an internationally recognised, evidence-based employment programme that supports people with severe mental health conditions into competitive paid employment. The IPS model focuses on rapid job search, individualised support based on each person's preferences and strengths, and unlimited in-work support to help sustain employment. Working closely with Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), employers and local partners, we believe that employment plays a vital role in recovery and social inclusion. As an embedded member of the clinical team, you'll work collaboratively with healthcare professionals, employers and community organisations to provide holistic support that enables clients to achieve their employment goals.
What You'll Do
- Deliver high-quality employment support in line with the IPS Fidelity model and promote employment as a key part of mental health recovery.
- Meet clients within community settings to understand their strengths, aspirations and employment goals.
- Develop personalised employment plans, providing support with CV writing, job applications, interview preparation, career planning and job searching.
- Offer guidance around welfare benefits, disclosure of mental and physical health conditions, and workplace adjustments where appropriate.
- Build strong relationships with local employers to identify both advertised and hidden employment opportunities that match clients' skills and ambitions.
- Develop employer partnerships that create inclusive employment opportunities and maintain an active employer engagement network.
- Provide ongoing support to both clients and employers once employment has commenced, helping individuals sustain work successfully.
- Regularly review client progress before and after employment, adapting support to meet changing needs.
- Work collaboratively with Community Mental Health Teams, Jobcentre Plus and other partner organisations to ensure joined-up, recovery-focused support.
- Attend clinical meetings, group supervision and one-to-one supervision, contributing updates on client progress and employer engagement.
- Maintain accurate and timely records using IPS Fidelity documentation, RiO clinical systems, Outlook and other case management systems.
- Produce reports, manage caseload information and ensure all administrative tasks are completed within agreed timescales.
- Work flexibly when required to meet the needs of clients and employers.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion whilst working in accordance with organisational policies, IPS best practice and Health & Safety requirements, including lone working procedures.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who is passionate about helping people achieve their employment goals and who believes that meaningful work can play a significant role in recovery.
Essential
- Educated to A-Level standard (or equivalent) or above.
- Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
- Strong motivational and coaching skills with the ability to build trusting relationships.
- Good organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied caseload effectively.
- Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote the service.
- Experience of supporting disadvantaged or disabled people into employment.
- Experience of networking with employers and developing positive employer relationships.
- Experience of facilitating groups or workshops.
- Competent using IT systems and databases, with the ability to maintain accurate electronic records and case notes.
- Empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing mental health difficulties.
- A solution-focused, outcome-driven approach with the ability to motivate and engage others.
- Ability to travel throughout the local area using your own transport.
Desirable
- Level 3 Qualification in Advice and Guidance (or equivalent).
- Experience working within business, industry or education.
- Experience supporting people with mental health conditions in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
- Knowledge or experience of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and IPS Fidelity standards.
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing Date: 2026-08-24
IPS Employment Specialist in Gosport employer: Recovery Focus
Recovery Focus is an excellent employer that prioritises the well-being of its staff and the communities they serve. With a supportive work culture, employees enjoy generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, pension contributions, and access to a 24/7 online GP, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of families in Enfield. The company also fosters professional growth, providing opportunities for training and development in the health and social care sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist in Gosport
✨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 Recovery Focus.
✨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 Recovery Focus!
✨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 Recovery Focus, 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 Recovery Focus 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 in Gosport
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 Recovery Focus:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Recovery Focus! 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 Recovery Focus
✨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.
