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 competitive salary, supportive colleagues, and professional development opportunities.
- 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 in the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting employment and understanding of mental health challenges.
The predicted salary is between 25185 - 28000 £ 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 £14726.95 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.
- Empathetic, proactive and comfortable working independently across a dispersed geography.
- Organised, flexible and able 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.
Employment Specialist in Kent 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 illness. Our supportive and values-driven work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering regular supervision and development opportunities while empowering our employees to shape services that truly matter. Join us in East Kent, where you can enjoy a dynamic role that not only enhances your career but also allows you to make a direct, life-changing difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Specialist in Kent
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Rethink Mental Illness, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Rethink Mental Illness. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Rethink Mental Illness's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Specialist in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Rethink Mental Illness. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Rethink Mental Illness.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rethink Mental Illness
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Rethink Mental Illness.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Employment Specialist at Rethink Mental Illness.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Rethink Mental Illness that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Employment Specialist role.
