At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health challenges to find and sustain meaningful employment.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team making a positive impact on people's lives.
- Why this job: Empower others and create lasting change in your community through meaningful work.
- Qualifications: A-Level education or equivalent, strong communication, and motivational skills.
The predicted salary is between 29693 - 29693 £ per year.
Location: New Milton
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 organisation.
IPS Employment Specialist employer: recoveryfocus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the community, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and personal growth. As part of one of England's largest mental health and social support charities, employees benefit from meaningful work that empowers individuals on their recovery journey, alongside opportunities for professional development and a competitive salary package. Join us in New Milton to be part of a passionate team committed to fostering independence and wellbeing through employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist
✨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 recoveryfocus.
✨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 recoveryfocus!
✨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 recoveryfocus, 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 recoveryfocus 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
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 recoveryfocus:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to recoveryfocus! 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 recoveryfocus
✨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.
