At a Glance
- Tasks: Help clients with mental health needs secure sustainable employment and improve their wellbeing.
- Company: Join a supportive community-focused organisation dedicated to transforming lives through work.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, enhanced pension, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and access to diverse employee networks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building relationships with local employers.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting individuals with mental health needs and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Responsibilities include working with clients, health professionals, service providers, and employers to ensure a person's journey into employment, with associated improved social inclusion and wellbeing, is as easy as possible. You will manage a caseload of clients who have mental health support needs, assisting them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences.
Your role will involve delivering the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach (training will be provided), offering person-centred advice and guidance to clients while building positive relationships with local employers to facilitate suitable employment opportunities.
You will work as part of a community mental health team and/or early intervention psychosis team or Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) team, maintaining positive and integrated relationships, and fostering a holistic approach to recovery through employment.
As an IPS employment specialist, you will need to be an able communicator, passionate about getting it right, and focused on transforming individual lives through sustainable solutions. This role is peripatetic and will primarily involve working in the community or at clinical hubs, with minimal home working.
You will assist individuals on their employment journey from vocational profiling to the point where they no longer require face-to-face in-work support. The six key stages on a typical journey are:
- Outreach/referral
- Vocational profiling
- Action planning
- Job search activities (including one-to-one work with employers to match people with appropriate employment)
- Job placement and coordinating support whilst in employment
- Managing withdrawal of support as in-work support is no longer required
Qualifications include:
- Trained/knowledge of the IPS approach (E)
- Experience/understanding of working with people with mental health support needs, or a similar client group within health, social services, or the voluntary sector (E)
- Experience of working with someone on a one-to-one basis (E)
- Proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets (E)
- Experience of managing multiple tasks simultaneously (E)
- Previous experience of working assertively to influence decision makers (E)
- Experience of supporting people to obtain or keep work (E)
- A valid UK driving licence is desirable, as some work locations may be rural and less accessible by public transport
Employee Benefits include:
- 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays), with incremental increases post 3 years' service up to 28 days, and the option to purchase additional holiday
- 2 days paid volunteering leave each year
- An enhanced pension scheme after 6 months
- Life Assurance at 3 times your annual salary rate
- Access to a suite of learning and development opportunities including paid for apprenticeship and masters' levels qualifications, and management development programmes
- Opportunities to connect with employee diversity networks (LGBTQ+ Support Network, Racial Equality Network, Disability Equality Network, Women's Network, Neurodiversity Peer Support Network, Menopause Peer Support Group, The MANaging Network, The Young Professionals Network and Back to Work Support Group)
- Health and Wellbeing initiatives including internal support, employee assistance programme, and health cash plan
IPS employment specialist in Warminster employer: Shaw Trust
As an IPS employment specialist, you will join a supportive and inclusive work culture dedicated to transforming lives through meaningful employment. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer extensive training opportunities, including the IPS approach, and a range of benefits such as generous annual leave, enhanced pension schemes, and health initiatives. Our commitment to diversity and community engagement ensures that you will be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters personal and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS employment specialist in Warminster
✨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 in Warminster
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.
