At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health challenges to find and maintain meaningful employment.
- Company: Join Rethink Mental Illness, a charity dedicated to empowering people.
- Benefits: Part-time role with regular supervision, learning opportunities, and supportive colleagues.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to shape services and empower individuals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building valuable relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting employment and understanding mental health challenges.
The predicted salary is between 13796 - 13796 £ per year.
Make a real difference every day. At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe that everyone severely affected by mental illness deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life — and having meaningful employment can be a crucial part of that journey.
We're looking for an IPS Employment Specialist to join our East Kent IPS Service covering Thanet, Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh, Canterbury, Dover, Deal and Ashford. You'll work one‐to‐one with people who want to find or return to paid employment, helping them identify their goals, build confidence, and secure roles that align with their skills and aspirations.
This is a Part Time (21 Hours) role with a salary of £13,796.24 pro rata. This is a rewarding, dynamic role where no two days are the same. You'll work in the community, meet people where they are, and build strong relationships with employers and local partners to open real opportunities within the hidden labour market.
What you'll do
- Work alongside individuals to understand their employment goals and create personalised vocational plans.
- Support people to find and keep paid work that reflects their strengths, interests and ambitions.
- Build and maintain relationships with employers, identifying opportunities and advocating for reasonable adjustments where needed.
- Provide in‐work support to help individuals thrive in their roles.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the IPS team and local services to ensure consistent, recovery‐focused support.
- Promote the value of employment in mental health recovery across your allocated East Kent area.
- Maintain effective records, manage referrals, and contribute to the smooth running of the service.
What you'll bring
- Experience supporting people into employment or helping others overcome barriers to work.
- Understanding of mental health challenges and experience in social care, support services or community-based roles.
- Ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people, including employers, colleagues and service users.
- Empathy, proactivity, and comfort working independently across a dispersed geography.
- Organisational skills, flexibility, and ability to respond calmly to unexpected challenges.
- Strong awareness of risk management, safeguarding and confidentiality.
- Holds — or is working towards — a Level 3 qualification relevant to care, community mental health or social support (or equivalent experience).
- Experience delivering community projects, facilitating training, or developing workshops is desirable but not essential.
Why join us?
Joining Rethink Mental Illness means becoming part of a charity that believes in people's potential. You'll receive:
- Regular supervision and access to learning and development.
- Supportive, values-driven colleagues.
- Opportunities to shape services and empower individuals.
- The chance to make a direct, life‐changing impact.
Ready to make a difference? If you're passionate about supporting people with mental health challenges to achieve their employment goals, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help create a better future for people living with mental illness in East Kent.
Community Substance Misuse Specialist in England employer: Rethink Mental Illness
At Rethink Mental Illness, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by mental health challenges. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering regular supervision and development opportunities that empower our employees to shape services and create positive change in the community. Join us in East Kent, where you can enjoy a dynamic role that not only enhances your professional skills but also allows you to contribute to a fulfilling mission of recovery and empowerment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Substance Misuse Specialist in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the mental health and employment sectors. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals for a chat. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or colleagues, let your enthusiasm for supporting individuals with mental health challenges shine through. Share your experiences and how they align with the role of a Community Substance Misuse Specialist — it’ll make you memorable!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their approach to mental health and employment support. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you genuinely want to be part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. So, get your application in and let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Substance Misuse Specialist in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Community Substance Misuse Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience in supporting individuals with mental health challenges and how you've helped them achieve their employment goals.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your skills in building relationships and advocating for individuals. We want to see how you can connect with both service users and employers, so share specific examples of your past successes!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone empathetic and proactive, so don’t hesitate to share your passion for making a difference in people’s lives and how that drives you in your work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rethink Mental Illness
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Community Substance Misuse Specialist. Familiarise yourself with Rethink Mental Illness's mission and values, especially how they relate to supporting individuals with mental health challenges. This will help you demonstrate your passion and alignment with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience in supporting people into employment or overcoming barriers to work. Prepare specific examples that highlight your skills in building relationships, advocating for individuals, and providing in-work support. This will show that you have the practical knowledge needed for the role.
✨Emphasise Empathy and Proactivity
During the interview, convey your empathetic nature and proactive approach. Share stories that illustrate how you've successfully navigated challenges in community-based roles. This will help the interviewers see that you can connect with service users and respond effectively to their needs.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of relationships they build with local employers, or how they measure success in helping individuals find employment. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
