At a Glance
- Tasks: Help clients with mental health needs find and keep sustainable jobs.
- Company: Supportive organisation focused on community mental health and employment.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, enhanced pension, and paid volunteering days.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by supporting their employment journeys.
- Qualifications: Experience with mental health support and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
As an IPS employment specialist you will work with clients who have mental health support needs to secure sustainable paid employment. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach, provide person‑centred advice, and build relationships with local employers to support clients’ employment journeys.
Responsibilities
- Managing a caseload of clients and assessing each client’s employment needs
- Conducting vocational profiling and developing individual action plans
- Coordinating job search activities and working with employers to match clients with suitable roles
- Placing clients in employment and providing support while they are in work
- Managing withdrawal of in‑work support when the client no longer requires it
- Maintaining integrated relationships with health professionals, service providers and employers as part of a community mental health or psychosis team
- Meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets set by the organisation
Essential Requirements
- Trained or knowledgeable in the IPS approach
- Experience working with people who have mental health support needs or a similar client group
- Experience working with clients one‑to‑one
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding outcomes and targets
- Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently
- Assertive communication skills to influence decision makers
- Experience supporting people to obtain or keep work
- Valid UK driving licence (desirable)
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays), with incremental increases up to 28 days after 3 years of service and the option to purchase additional holiday
- 2 days paid volunteering leave each year
- Enhanced pension scheme after 6 months
- Life Assurance at 3 times annual salary
- Learning and development opportunities, including paid apprenticeships and masters levels qualifications
- Employee diversity networks and support groups
- Health and wellbeing initiatives, employee assistance programme and health cash plan
Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire. This is a peripatetic role with no or minimal home working.
IPS Employment Specialist - CHIPPENHAM (Wiltshire) employer: Shaw Trust
As an IPS Employment Specialist based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, you will join a supportive and inclusive work culture dedicated to empowering individuals with mental health support needs. The company offers generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, enhanced pension schemes, and extensive learning opportunities, ensuring that employees can grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a focus on employee wellbeing and diversity, this role provides a unique chance to contribute to transformative employment journeys in a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist - CHIPPENHAM (Wiltshire)
✨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 Shaw Trust.
✨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 Shaw Trust!
✨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 Shaw Trust, 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 Shaw Trust 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 - CHIPPENHAM (Wiltshire)
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 Shaw Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Shaw Trust! 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 Shaw Trust
✨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.
