At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with health needs to find meaningful employment and achieve their career goals.
- Company: Leading organisation dedicated to helping people secure fulfilling jobs across the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, health plan, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them find sustainable work.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience; understanding of health-related employment challenges.
The predicted salary is between 31049 - 31049 £ per year.
Salary: £31,049 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time (37.5 hrs pw)
Location: Preston (PR1), must have a car to travel between community areas
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.
What you'll do:
- Manage a caseload of up to 25 clients who have 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
- 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
What you'll need:
- 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 License 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 + 8
IPS Employment Specialist in Bristol employer: Standguide
As an Employment Specialist, you will join a compassionate team dedicated to empowering individuals with health-related needs to achieve meaningful employment. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth and collaboration, while our commitment to the IPS approach ensures that you make a real difference in people's lives. Located in a vibrant community, we offer competitive salaries and a range of benefits that prioritise your well-being and career development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist in Bristol
✨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 Standguide.
✨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 Standguide!
✨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 Standguide, 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 Standguide 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 Bristol
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 Standguide:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Standguide! 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 Standguide
✨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.
