At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with health needs to achieve sustainable employment and improve their wellbeing.
- Company: Join a community-focused organisation dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Generous leave, paid volunteering, enhanced pension, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Havant and Waterlooville, fostering community connections.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while building your career.
- Qualifications: Experience supporting individuals facing barriers to employment and achieving personal goals.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Support Employment and IPS Employment Specialists – Havant and Waterlooville (1 position). We are excited to deliver Connect to Work in Havant and Waterlooville and are seeking Employment Specialists to join our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programmes. This is a rewarding role where you will help people with physical and mental health support needs achieve sustainable employment and improved wellbeing through evidence-based practice.
About The Role
As an Employment Specialist, you’ll provide tailored support to a group of clients, guiding them through their employment journey. You’ll work closely with health professionals, service providers, stakeholders and employers to make their journey into work as smooth as possible. You will support individuals to secure paid employment that aligns with their preferences, while promoting social inclusion and recovery. This is a community-based role, requiring travel across Havant and Waterlooville. There is no homeworking.
What You’ll Do
- Work one-to-one with clients to understand their goals and provide tailored employment support.
- Build strong relationships with local employers to create job opportunities and provide ongoing in-work support.
- Collaborate with NHS Health teams and other referral partners to ensure IPS is fully integrated within clinical services.
- Generate referrals through local partnerships, including GPs, DWP, and community organisations.
- Meet and exceed performance targets aligned to contractual commitments.
You Will Have
- Experience supporting people with health conditions, disabilities, substance misuse needs or other societal barriers.
- Ability to research and learn about IPS principles.
- Experience of providing one-to-one support in helping people achieve goals or overcome barriers personally or professionally.
- Experience of working in a target driven environment or achieving set targets.
- Able to use IT and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Location: Community-based (peripatetic) role across Hampshire, excluding Portsmouth and Southampton.
Employee Benefits
- Generous annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays, rising to 28 days with service.
- Paid volunteering: 2 days per year.
- Enhanced pension and Life Assurance.
- Learning & development opportunities, including apprenticeships and leadership programmes.
- Health & wellbeing support and inclusive networks.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of disability or social exclusion. If you have accessibility requirements, please contact Resourcing@shaw-trust.org.uk.
IPS Employment Specialist - Connect to Work - Havant & Waterlooville employer: Shaw Trust
Join us as an Employment Specialist in Havant and Waterlooville, where you'll play a vital role in transforming lives through meaningful employment support. Our inclusive work culture prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, offering generous annual leave, paid volunteering days, and extensive learning opportunities. With a strong commitment to community engagement and collaboration with local health services, we provide a rewarding environment for those passionate about making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist - Connect to Work - Havant & Waterlooville
✨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 - Connect to Work - Havant & Waterlooville
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.
