At a Glance
- Tasks: Support clients with mental health needs to secure and sustain employment.
- Company: Join a compassionate team dedicated to improving lives in Essex.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training provided, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on social inclusion and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with mental health support and strong interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 29556 - 35413 £ per year.
Salary: £29,556 - £35,413
Location: Essex
We are recruiting for up to 10 roles covering Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castlepoint, Chelmsford, Colchester, Maldon, Rochford & Tendring.
The Role:
Working with clients, health professionals, service providers and employers, IPS Employment Specialists focus on making each person’s journey into employment — alongside improved social inclusion and wellbeing — as smooth as possible. You will manage a caseload of clients with mental health support needs, providing person‑centred advice and guidance to help them secure and sustain paid employment that matches their preferences. In this role, you will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach (full training provided) and support individuals throughout their employment journey, from vocational profiling through to the point where face‑to‑face in‑work support is no longer required. This typically includes six key stages: outreach and referral; vocational profiling; action planning; job search activities (including one‑to‑one engagement with employers to match clients to suitable opportunities); job placement and coordination of in‑work support; and the managed withdrawal of support once it is no longer needed.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage and support an active caseload of around 25 clients who have mental health support needs who are motivated to start/return to work.
- Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach for which training will be given.
- Meet and support clients to understand their key skills, aspirations and goals through completing a Vocational Profile and produce an Action Plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment. This includes support with their job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques and career development.
- Assess client’s support needs related to work which may include benefits/welfare advice, disclosure of mental health symptoms etc., and provide support & guidance.
- Attend weekly clinical team meetings as an embedded IPS practitioner.
- Source job opportunities for clients through tailored job search and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden as well as advertised employment opportunities.
- Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy and on‑going contact with the employer to ensure job retention.
- Build relationships with colleagues in clinical teams to engage and generate referrals and create collaborative working partnerships with clinical staff (promoting employment as a positive intervention in the recovery journey).
- Once employment has been secured continue to provide quality service through conducting regular visits, effective monitoring and in‑work support to clients and employers to help sustain employment.
- Spend time getting to know local employers, in order to negotiate job opportunities that meet each individual’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.
- To challenge inequalities experienced by clients and address existing discrimination, whilst ensuring a process of learning for the organisation.
- Work with employers to promote the service, identify job opportunities and ensure appropriate strategies are in place to reduce barriers in the work place – this can include exploring ‘job carving’ i.e. carving small slices of work from the duties other staff do not have time to do.
Required Skills and Experience:
- Experience/understanding of working with people with mental health support needs, or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector.
- Experience of working with someone on a one‑to‑one basis.
- Proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets.
- Experience of managing multiple tasks at any one time.
- Previous experience of working assertively to influence decision makers.
- Experience of supporting people to obtain or keep work.
- Experience of working within mental health services.
- Previous experience of delivering a service using the IPS model.
IPS Employment Specialist in Basildon employer: Sovereign & Bale
As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will join a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to empowering individuals with mental health support needs in Essex. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring you are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in the community. With a focus on social inclusion and wellbeing, we offer a rewarding environment where your contributions directly enhance the lives of others while enjoying the benefits of working in a vibrant and diverse region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist in Basildon
✨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 Sovereign & Bale.
✨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 Sovereign & Bale!
✨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 Sovereign & Bale, 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 Sovereign & Bale 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 Basildon
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 Sovereign & Bale:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sovereign & Bale! 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 Sovereign & Bale
✨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.
