NHS IPS Employment Specialist in Chester

For over three decades, we have been dedicated to supporting individuals and employers across the UK. As a nationwide market leader, we have assisted over 13,000 people in the past year alone to retrain, embark on new career paths, or establish their own businesses. Are you passionate about helping people achieve their goals and find meaningful work? As an Employment Specialist, you'll support individuals with health‑related needs to secure sustainable, fulfilling employment that matches their skills and aspirations.

You'll be trained in the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach – a proven model focused on person‑centred guidance and practical, empowering support. Working closely with clients, employers, and referral partners, you'll build strong relationships that open doors to new opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients diagnosed with mental health support needs who are motivated to start/return to work.
• Deliver the IPS approach for which training will be given.
• Adhere to the 8 key IPS principles that underpin the 25‑point Fidelity scale.
• 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, including support with job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques and career development.
• Source job opportunities for clients through tailored and supported job search and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden as well as advertised employment opportunities.
• Once employment has been secured, continue to provide quality service through conducting regular visits, effective monitoring and tailored in‑work support to clients and employers to help sustain employment.
• Work with employers to promote the service, identify support needs, job opportunities and ensure appropriate strategies are in place to reduce barriers in the workplace – this can include exploring job carving and reasonable adjustments.
• Develop effective working relationships with a range of external agencies who can help individuals achieve their employment goals, such as local colleges and training providers.
• Work independently, reliably and deliver consistently to promote effective IPS practice within the community setting.

Qualifications

• Educated to a degree level or equivalent experience.
• Desirable: trained in the IPS approach.
• Understanding of the employment needs and challenges faced by people who experience health difficulties.
• Experience or understanding of working with people with health support needs, or a similar client group within health, social services, or the voluntary sector.
• Natural ability to build close, trusting and productive relationships with people.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote a service.
• Clean driving licence and full‑time access to a car, as this role requires travel.
• Overseas equivalent qualifications will be accepted.
• We welcome applicants with lived experience and encourage applications that reflect the relevance to the post.

Benefits

• CPD – broad range of internal training to enhance your knowledge and skills.
• Generous pension scheme, with the option to opt out.
• Company health plan, subject to successful completion of probation period.
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• 5–10 sick days per year paid.

Equal Opportunities & Disability Confidence: Standguide is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and value the diversity of our staff and customers. We thrive on creating positive working relationships, free from discrimination.

Recruitment Information

Successful candidates will be subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.