At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support vulnerable individuals in finding employment and housing.
- Company: Thames Reach, a top-rated workplace dedicated to ending homelessness.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension contributions, career development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to supporting the community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building a fulfilling career.
- Qualifications: Experience in IPS delivery, coaching, and employer engagement required.
The predicted salary is between 37750 - 37750 £ per year.
Salary: £37,750 per annum
Contract: Fixed term until 27/02/2027
Location: Lambeth
Interview date: 02/08/2026
Whatever your experience of street homelessness and its impact on people’s lives – personal or professional – when you join the Thames Reach team as a Lead Worker we will make the best use of all your understanding, compassion and commitment.
About us…
Thames Reach runs projects and services that help to end homelessness in and around London. We work directly with homeless people on the streets and in hostels. We work to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless. We help formerly homeless people get their lives back on track. We help people find work and access training and volunteering opportunities.
Is our mission easy? No, but we never give up on people. Last year we helped more than 15,000 people.
Is our work rewarding? Yes, in every sense. We’re listed as one of the top 100 Best Workplaces in the UK. There’s no better place to develop or transfer your skills and build a fulfilling career.
About this role…
We are looking for a Lead Worker to join the Lambeth Individual Placement Support team. Prevention services support vulnerable people by providing them with skills, housing advice, accommodation, and tenancy sustainment support. All these services help people transition towards leading independent lives.
You will:
- Carry a client caseload: Still do direct IPS work: client meetings, rapid job search, employer engagement, and on-the-job support. Caseload is sometimes smaller than standard specialists to free up time for other duties.
- Coach & mentor junior specialists: Model job development calls, join them on employer visits, and review their client work. Give feedback on IPS fidelity and help them problem-solve complex cases.
- Lead on employer engagement strategy: Build relationships with major local employers and develop job opportunities the whole team can use. Track which industries are hiring and share leads in team meetings.
- Monitor fidelity & outcomes: Run data reports on job starts, hours worked, and employer contacts. Complete fidelity reviews, file audits, and prep for external IPS fidelity assessments.
- Liaise with clinical & system partners: Attend leadership meetings with mental health teams, funders, or DWP/Jobcentre staff. Troubleshoot integration issues and promote IPS across services.
- Support the team lead: Supporting senior managers to compile monthly and quarterly data for reporting submissions.
You will have:
- IPS delivery: Strong job outcomes record. Can demonstrate fidelity to all 8 IPS principles and rapid job search within 30 days.
- Supervision & coaching ability: Experience mentoring staff, running 1:1s, or delivering training. Able to model employer engagement calls, give constructive feedback, and develop support worker employment specialists.
- Advanced employer engagement: Build relationships with employers, negotiating job carves, and creating repeat referral routes. Confident with senior managers and HR.
- Mental health & benefits knowledge: Understanding of SMI, medication impacts, and NHS pathways like CMHT, and EIP. Familiar with Universal Credit, PIP, and work incentives planning.
- Data, fidelity & quality assurance: Comfortable with IPS fidelity reviews, outcome reporting to IPS Grow, and case note audits on ePJS. Uses data to improve team performance.
- Systems leadership & partnership working: Experience working with clinicians, employers, and DWP partners. Can represent IPS in MDT discussions, unblock referral issues. Have experience of working independently, excellent IT and administrative skills.
We are listed in the top 100 UK Best Workplaces 2023 in the UK. As part of a commitment to our employees we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance – 29 days per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata).
- Pension – we contribute 6.5% to your pension when you contribute 1.5%.
- Excellent development opportunities – career progression, regular supervision and appraisals, and learning programmes to support your career with Thames Reach.
- Wellbeing support – our 24/7 employee assistance programme and opportunities for TOIL.
- Life assurance – four times your annual salary and critical illness cover.
- Other benefits including a blue light discount card, interest free season ticket and cycle to work loans.
Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief.
Thames Reach is committed to safeguarding. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not exclude you from applying but you will be asked to provide further details as most posts are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Lead Worker (Senior Employment Specialist) – Lambeth Individual Placement Support team in London employer: Thames Reach Charity
Thames Reach is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment in Hammersmith and Fulham. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including 29 days of holiday and a robust pension scheme, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, we empower our team to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals. Join us to be part of a collaborative team dedicated to creating sustainable outcomes for those experiencing homelessness.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Worker (Senior Employment Specialist) – Lambeth Individual Placement Support team in London
✨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 Thames Reach Charity.
✨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 Thames Reach Charity!
✨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 Thames Reach Charity, 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 Thames Reach Charity 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 Lead Worker (Senior Employment Specialist) – Lambeth Individual Placement Support team in London
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 Thames Reach Charity:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Thames Reach Charity! 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 Thames Reach Charity
✨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.
