IPS Operations Manager

Salary: £45,000

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full Time (37.5 hrs pw)

Location: Lincolnshire North (Remote); Must have a car, regional travel required

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

Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers and achieve their employment goals? We’re looking for an Employment Specialist to support people with mental health support needs to find and sustain meaningful, competitive employment. You’ll work using the Individual Placement and Support approach, an evidence-based model that places each person’s interests, strengths and aspirations at the centre of their journey into work. You don’t need previous IPS experience, as full training will be provided. What matters most is your ability to build trust, work positively with people and employers, and help individuals recognise and achieve their potential.

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 Operations Manager, you’ll:

• Ensure the smooth running and productive dynamics of their teams by acting as a lynchpin between all key individuals and teams behind/within the participants’ journey.
• Through the scheduling of resources ensure consistent coverage of their geographical area meeting their needs for advice and guidance, employment training and employer engagement.
• Ensure that periodic performance management meetings occur and are properly documented and that these set stretching but achievable targets following a thorough interrogation of performance.
• Observe Co-Members and provide constructive feedback, cascading this process down among the teams that report to this role.
• Identify skills gaps and training needs.
• Conduct bi-annual reviews and performance development reviews.
• Ensure IPS Team Managers and Employment Specialists are delivering a high standard of service following the 8 Principles of IPS and Fidelity framework.
• Oversee and support IPS Team Managers to ensure regular fidelity reviews are carried out at all IPS sites and develop a responsive action plan and review to ensure continuous service improvement.
• Identify and discuss succession planning with Risk Manager.

What you’ll need: We’re looking for someone who has:

• Educated to a degree level or equivalent.
• Desirable trained in IPS approach.
• Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies, and legislation in relation to employment.
• 3+ years experience of working with people with health support needs, or a similar group within health, social services, or the voluntary sector.
• Natural ability to build close, trusting, and productive relationships with people.
• Ability to model recovery-focused practice including co-production.
• Clean driving licence and full-time access to a car as this role requires travel.
• Experience or training in the Individual Placement and Support approach would be an advantage, but it isn’t essential.
• 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. Please contact recruitment_standguide_couk if you need the advert or application information in another format or require an adjustment at any stage. All applicants will be assessed fairly against the published criteria for the role.

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.

For a copy of the full job description and person specification, please email recruitment_standguide_couk.