IPS Employment Specialist

Role: IPS Employment Specialist

Salary: £31,049 – £33,487 per annum, based on qualifications and experience

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full Time (37.5 hrs pw)

Location: Bassetlaw – must have a car to travel between locations

Overview

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 up to 25 clients who have health support needs and are motivated to start or 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 producing an Action Plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment. This includes support with job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques and career development.
• Attend regular multidisciplinary team meetings with key partners 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 ongoing contact with the employer to ensure job retention.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Educated to a degree level or equivalent experience.
• Desirable – trained in IPS approach.
• An understanding of the employment needs and challenges faced by people who experience health difficulties.
• Experience/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.
• Full UK Driving Licence as this role requires travel.
• Overseas equivalent qualifications will be accepted.

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 + 8 bank holidays.
• 5‑10 sick days per year paid.

We welcome applicants with lived experience and encourage applications that reflect the relevance to the post.

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.

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