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- Tasks: Help clients with mental health needs secure sustainable employment through tailored support.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving social inclusion and wellbeing on the Isle of Wight.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, training opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be part of a rewarding journey that empowers individuals and promotes positive change in the community.
- Qualifications: Experience with mental health support, one-on-one client work, and achieving outcomes is essential.
- Other info: This is a permanent role with a focus on community engagement and collaboration with local employers.
The predicted salary is between 24900 - 30700 £ per year.
Position: IPS Employment Specialist
Location: Isle of Wight
Salary: £28,976 – £34,718
Type: Permanent
This role will be covering Isle of Wight and is is community based working and site based work in clinical settings.
Working with clients, health professionals, service providers and employers, IPS Employment Specialists are focused on making sure a person’s journey into employment, with associated improved social inclusion and wellbeing is as easy as possible. You will work with clients (managing a caseload) who have mental health support needs, to assist them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences. Your role will be to deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach (for which training will be given); providing person centred advice and guidance to clients, whilst building positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into suitable employment.
The Role
You will work with people on their individual 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 working on a one to one basis with employers to match people with appropriate employment); job placement and coordinating support whilst in employment; managing withdrawal of support as the in work support is no longer required.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of around 20 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 employer: Sovereign & Bale
Contact Detail:
Sovereign & Bale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Understanding its principles and how it applies to supporting clients with mental health needs will give you a solid foundation for your role and demonstrate your commitment to the approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with local employers and organisations that focus on mental health support. Building relationships in advance can help you understand their hiring needs and how you can assist your future clients, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Gain experience in vocational profiling and action planning. If you can showcase your ability to assess client skills and create tailored action plans, you'll stand out as someone who can effectively guide clients through their employment journey.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on local job market trends and opportunities. Being knowledgeable about the types of roles available and the skills required will not only help you in your role but also impress potential employers during your application process.
We think you need these skills to ace IPS Employment Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the IPS Employment Specialist position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially the importance of working with clients who have mental health support needs.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, particularly any work with mental health support or similar client groups. Emphasise your ability to manage a caseload and your experience in delivering person-centred advice.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses how your skills and experiences align with the duties of the IPS Employment Specialist role. Mention your understanding of the IPS model and your commitment to supporting clients in their employment journey.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: In your application, highlight soft skills such as communication, empathy, and relationship-building. These are crucial for working effectively with clients and local employers, as well as for collaborating with clinical teams.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sovereign & Bale
✨Understand the IPS Model
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Familiarise yourself with its key principles and how it benefits clients with mental health support needs. This will show your potential employer that you're prepared and knowledgeable about the approach they'll expect you to deliver.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience working with individuals who have mental health support needs. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully supported clients in their employment journey, highlighting any outcomes or targets you've met. This will demonstrate your capability and commitment to the role.
✨Build Rapport with Employers
Since building relationships with local employers is crucial, think of ways you can illustrate your ability to connect with them. Share any past experiences where you've successfully negotiated job opportunities or collaborated with employers to create supportive work environments for clients.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions during the interview that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage client needs. Practice responding to hypothetical situations related to job placements, client support, and overcoming barriers in the workplace. This will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview.
