At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health needs in their employment journey, from job search to placement.
- Company: Shaw Trust is expanding its IPS services into Lincolnshire, aiming to make a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, enhanced pension scheme, and access to health and wellbeing support.
- Other info: This is a peripatetic role with no home working, requiring travel within Lincolnshire.
- Why this job: Be part of a new team shaping impactful employment support services in Lincolnshire.
- Qualifications: Experience in providing one-to-one support and managing a caseload is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Shaw Trust, we are excited to announce that we are hoping to expand our IPS services into Lincolnshire, following our success in other areas in the UK. This marks an important milestone in our growth, and we’re looking for passionate, driven individuals to join us as we build and shape our presence in the local community. We are currently at the bid stage and any job offers would be subject to contract award. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a new team from the ground up, helping to deliver impactful employment support services that make a real difference to people’s lives. You’ll play a key role in establishing and embedding high quality services in Hull, working closely with local partners, employers and communities.
As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will support people with mental health needs and other health barriers to move into sustainable paid employment that matches their preferences and strengths. Working with clients, health professionals, service providers and employers, you will manage a caseload and deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model (full training provided). You’ll provide person centred advice, engage local employers and support individuals through their employment journey from referral to job sustainment. This is a target driven, community based (peripatetic) role, with most of your time spent meeting participants, stakeholders and employers face to face.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver the Supported Employment or IPS approach in line with fidelity requirements
- Support participants through all stages of their employment journey, including vocational profiling, action planning, job search, job placement and in-work support
- Build positive relationships with local employers to create suitable job opportunities
- Achieve contractual targets including starts, job outcomes and job retention
Essential Experience
- Knowledge or experience of the IPS model, or the ability to learn (full training provided)
- Experience providing one to one support, coaching or guidance to individuals to help them achieve personal goals
- Experience managing a caseload or workload, with the ability to prioritise and meet performance targets or KPIs
- Experience supporting individuals to progress towards or into employment, training, education or other positive outcomes
- Effective communication skills with the ability to build relationships and influence a range of stakeholders, including employers
Location
This is a peripatetic role working in the community in and around Lincolnshire, with no home working. This is subject to a contract award and there are three lots - please indicate in your supporting statement which of the lots you are interested in as this is a community based role so should be close to where you live. There may also be a requirement to have your own transport given certain areas of the contract delivery and transport links.
Contract Lots
- 1) Lincolnshire
- 2) North Lincolnshire
- 3) North East Lincolnshire
Employee Benefits
- 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 28 days after 3 years’ service, with option to purchase additional leave
- 2 days paid volunteering leave annually
- Enhanced pension scheme after 6 months
- Life assurance at 3x annual salary
- Health and wellbeing support including Employee Assistance Programme and health cash plan
- Access to a comprehensive perks and discounts platform, helping you save money on everyday spending while supporting your wellbeing
- Learning and development opportunities
- Access to employee networks (LGBTQ+, Racial Equality, Disability Equality, Women’s, Neurodiversity, Menopause, Young Professionals and more)
Join a Diverse and Inclusive Organisation
- Certified to the National Equality Standard
- Disability Confident Leader (including guaranteed interview scheme)
- Menopause Friendly accredited organisation
- Dedicated to reflecting the diversity of UK society at every level
We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and particularly encourage candidates with lived experience of disability, health conditions or social exclusion to apply. If you have accessibility requirements or would like further information, please contact: Resourcing@shaw-trust.org.uk. Shaw Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.
IPS Employment Specialist - Lincolnshire employer: Shaw Trust
Shaw Trust offers a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days annual leave and enhanced pension. Located in Lincolnshire, the organisation is committed to diversity and inclusion, certified as a Disability Confident Leader.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist - Lincolnshire
✨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 - Lincolnshire
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.
