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: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and collaboration with healthcare professionals.
- Why this job: Empower others and create lasting change in your community through meaningful work.
- Qualifications: A-Level education or equivalent, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping others.
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 skills.
IPS Employment Specialist in New Milton employer: recoveryfocus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the community, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and personal growth. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, you will find meaningful work that empowers you to create lasting change in the lives of those we support. Join us at our Old Court House location in Enfield, where you can be part of a dynamic team making a significant impact on mental health and social support services.
