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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 in the community.
- 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 their lives.
- Qualifications: Experience with mental health support or similar fields is essential; training will be provided.
- Other info: This is a full-time, permanent role based in Birkenhead, with a manageable caseload.
The predicted salary is between 26700 - 35600 £ per year.
Job Description
Position: IPS Employment Specialist
Location: Birkenhead
Salary: £31,767 (dependent on experience)
Type: Permanent, Full Time
This role will be based in Birkenhead and 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 individuals 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 the community can help you understand the job market better and may even lead to potential job opportunities for your future clients.
✨Tip Number 3
Gain experience in vocational profiling and action planning. Being able to effectively assess clients' skills and aspirations will not only enhance your ability to support them but also showcase your practical knowledge during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on local employment trends and resources available for individuals with mental health challenges. This knowledge will empower you to provide tailored advice and support, making you a more attractive candidate for the IPS Employment Specialist role.
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 needs 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 showcases your passion for helping individuals secure employment. Mention specific experiences where you have successfully supported clients in their job search and how you can apply the IPS model effectively.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, highlight skills such as relationship building with employers, understanding of vocational profiling, and your ability to provide tailored support. Use examples to demonstrate how you've met targets and influenced decision-makers in previous roles.
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 are prepared and knowledgeable about the approach you'll be using.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience working with individuals who have mental health support needs. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully supported someone in their employment journey, as this will demonstrate your capability and understanding of the role.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use active listening skills and engage in a friendly manner. This is crucial for a role that involves relationship-building with clients and employers, so showing your interpersonal skills can set you apart.
✨Prepare Questions for Employers
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask your interviewers about the organisation and the role. This not only shows your interest but also gives you insight into the company culture and expectations. Consider asking about their approach to supporting clients or how they measure success in the role.
