At a Glance
- Tasks: Support clients with mental health challenges to secure meaningful employment and develop career skills.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, professional development, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Passion for supporting others, strong communication skills, and experience in job coaching.
The predicted salary is between 34240 - 34240 £ per year.
Location: Winchester
Working Hours: 37 hours per week. Mon - Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4:30pm
Contract Type: Permanent, Full time
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240 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
PS (Individual Placement and Support) helps people with severe mental health difficulties move into paid employment as part of their recovery journey. The service provides intensive, personalised support through rapid job searching, placement into competitive employment, and ongoing in-work support for both employees and employers. This role involves working closely with clients in community settings, supporting them to identify career goals, develop employment skills, and secure sustainable employment opportunities. You will also work collaboratively with clinical teams, employers, Job Centre Plus, and other local services to promote employment as a positive and achievable outcome for clients. The position requires strong relationship-building skills, excellent organisation, and a commitment to delivering high-fidelity IPS support while maintaining accurate case management and reporting systems.
What You’ll Do
- Support clients with severe mental health difficulties into paid employment through the IPS model.
- Meet clients within community settings to develop personalised employment and career plans.
- Assist clients with CV preparation, interview techniques, job searching, and career development.
- Provide guidance around benefits, welfare advice, and disclosure of mental or physical health conditions in the workplace.
- Engage proactively with local employers to identify both advertised and hidden job opportunities.
- Match suitable clients to employment opportunities within the competitive job market.
- Deliver ongoing in-work support to both clients and employers to help sustain long-term employment.
- Arrange regular review meetings with clients to monitor progress before and after employment begins.
- Maintain accurate case notes, management data, reports, and caseload records using IPS Fidelity systems and RiO databases.
- Manage Outlook calendars and time-tracking requirements in line with agreed processes.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, clinical teams, Job Centre Plus, and partner organisations.
- Attend supervision sessions, clinical meetings, and team meetings to discuss client progress and professional development.
- Work flexibly when required to support clients with job search activities or employment-related needs.
What We Are Looking For
- A passion for supporting people with mental health difficulties into meaningful employment.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships with clients, employers, and clinical teams.
- An understanding of recovery-focused and person-centred approaches.
- Confidence supporting clients with job applications, interviews, and workplace-related challenges.
- Ability to engage employers and develop employment opportunities within the local community.
- Strong organisational and administrative skills with the ability to maintain accurate records and meet deadlines.
- Experience using databases, spreadsheets, Outlook, and case management systems.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- A flexible and proactive approach to supporting client needs.
- Commitment to the IPS Fidelity model and promoting employment as a positive recovery outcome.
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: 2026-08-25
Employment Specialist in Winchester 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 Employment Specialist in Winchester
✨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 Employment Specialist in Winchester
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.
