Employability Team Manager in Preston

Trigon Recruitment are looking for an experienced Employability Team Manager to be responsible for managing a small team of Employment Specialists, providing supervision, training, caseload oversight, and role modelling of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach as part of a holistic recovery pathway for people with health support needs. The post holder plays a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, high-fidelity IPS service that achieves positive employment outcomes. The role also includes managing a small caseload of clients with more complex needs, supporting them to secure sustainable paid employment aligned with their preferences.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee a high-quality IPS service in line with IPS principles and fidelity standards.
• Drive and monitor stakeholder engagement to ensure a strong and sustainable referral pipeline.
• Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, delivering presentations as required to promote the service.
• Monitor, manage, and support the performance of IPS Employment Specialists, providing guidance on best practice and achievement of individual and team outcomes.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and reflective practice.
• Identify staff training and development needs and coordinate appropriate learning opportunities.
• Design and support the delivery of in-house training, peer learning, and best-practice sharing.
• Support service-user involvement and co-production in service development, with guidance from the Line Manager.
• Coordinate regional activity to build employer relationships, access the hidden labour market, work with external agencies, and support job-search group delivery.
• Manage a small caseload of complex clients (typically up to 5 service users).
• Identify barriers to service excellence and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to implement effective solutions.
• Deliver regular, solution-focused supervision to Employment Specialists, including caseload reviews.
• Lead and support the team to maximise face-to-face engagement with employers to secure appropriate job matches.
• Guide, mentor, and coach staff on employer engagement and job development strategies.
• Ensure quality assurance processes are in place to monitor client satisfaction and inform service improvement.
• Support the management of relevant service budgets.

Relationship Management

• Arrange and participate in regular meetings with clients to review progress before and after employment.
• Work closely with the Line Manager to agree priorities, objectives, and work plans.
• Develop strong relationships with local employers to negotiate job opportunities that align with individuals' strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
• Facilitate education and support for employers (with client consent), including reasonable adjustments, return-to-work planning, and ongoing contact to support job retention.
• Develop effective partnerships with external agencies such as colleges, training providers, and community organisations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Complete mandatory training, including IPS-related training, as required.
• Actively engage in continuous professional development.
• Support the implementation of organisational policies and procedures.
• Lead on marketing and profiling the service, including communications activity and promotion of employment recovery stories.
• Regularly collect and share service-user employment recovery stories.
• Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and maintained.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, including safeguarding and information governance.
• Work independently and consistently to model effective IPS practice.
• Manage feedback, compliments, and complaints in line with policy.

Other Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and statutory requirements, including Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity, Access for All, Discipline, and Grievance.
• Support the maintenance of safe and compliant premises where appropriate.
• Be prepared to work across locations to share good practice and provide cover as required.
• Prepare, deliver, or participate in learning and development programmes, including staff meetings.
• Maintain continual professional development.
• Carry out duties in a manner that supports continuous quality improvement.
• Be flexible regarding working location to meet service needs.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties aligned with organisational requirements.

Equality & Diversity

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and valuing diversity. We aim to create an inclusive working environment free from discrimination, prejudice, harassment, or victimisation, where everyone is able to contribute fully. We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage applications where this experience is relevant to the role. Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

• Essential: Level 2 English and Maths (minimum), Degree-level education or equivalent relevant experience.
• Desirable: Training in the IPS approach, Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services, Level 3 Qualification in Advice and Guidance.

Knowledge & Experience

• Essential: Knowledge of disability, health, and special needs issues, policies, and legislation related to employment; Strong understanding of supported employment principles and practice; Working knowledge of a wide range of occupations and job roles; IT proficiency including MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; Minimum of 3 years experience working with people with health support needs or similar client groups; At least 2 years experience in employment services; Proven experience of achieving and exceeding performance targets; Strong networking and partnership-working skills; Experience of managing multiple priorities; Experience of staff supervision, management, and/or mentoring; Experience of managing change and supporting innovation; Experience of budget management.
• Desirable: Experience of delivering training; Previous experience delivering services using the IPS model; Lived experience of recovery from physical or mental health difficulties.

Skills & Abilities

• Essential: Strong leadership and people-management skills; Excellent motivational, communication, and listening skills; Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport across diverse groups; Ability to model recovery-focused practice, including co-production; Strong relationship-building skills based on trust and collaboration; Team-oriented approach with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams; Ability to work independently, using initiative to develop and promote services.

Personal Qualities

• Essential: Non-judgemental and trustworthy; Empathy with individuals experiencing health problems; Passion and drive to make a positive difference in people's lives; Positive and motivational leadership style; Strong belief that people with health conditions can achieve paid employment; Resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges; Commitment to integrity and high-quality service delivery; Self-awareness and commitment to ongoing professional development; Willingness to travel within the region.