IPS Employment Specialist in Coventry

Salary: £31,049

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full Time (37.5 hrs pw)

Location: Leicestershire - Must have a car to travel community based

Standguide is an employee-owned organisation, which means our employees have a voice in the business and a shared interest in its long-term success. Alongside a rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference, we offer:

• 33 days paid annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing to 38 days after five full years service
• An additional paid day off for your birthday
• Workplace pension scheme
• Company health plan following successful completion of probation
• Online GP access
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling and wellbeing support
• Death in service cover
• Will-planning support and access to a secure digital vault
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Company sick pay, subject to eligibility
• A broad range of internal training and continuing professional development opportunities
• Access to employee-owner benefits, subject to eligibility and qualifying service

Make a difference through meaningful employment. 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.

About Standguide: For more than three decades, Standguide has supported individuals and employers across the UK. We provide employment, skills and support services that help people overcome barriers, develop their potential and move towards sustainable employment. As an employee-owned organisation, we're committed to investing in our people, delivering high-quality services and creating positive outcomes for the communities we support.

What you'll do: As an IPS Employment Specialist, you'll:

• 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: We're looking for someone who has:

• 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
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required. Alternative travel arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.
• Overseas equivalent qualifications will be considered

We welcome applications from people with relevant lived experience and recognise the valuable insight this can bring to the role.

Equality and accessibility: Standguide is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to equality of opportunity and value the diversity of our employees, applicants and customers. We'll consider reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Pre-employment checks: Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, confirmation of the applicant's right to work in the UK and an Enhanced DBS check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from working with us. Any information disclosed will be considered fairly and individually, taking account of its relevance to the role and the circumstances involved.