At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in their recovery journey towards meaningful employment.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment support and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 26912 - 32892 £ per year.
Location: Better Days Bolton, Le Mans Crescent, Queen Street, Bolton, BL1 1SX
Working Arrangement: Hybrid - office and community-based working across Bolton
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80-£34,240.03 per annum
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we've created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services - and it's all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job - it's a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About the Role
We are looking for an Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialist to join our team at Better Days Bolton on a full-time basis. Better Days Bolton supports people affected by drug and alcohol use, helping individuals make positive changes and progress in their recovery. As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will play an important role in supporting people accessing the service to move towards and into meaningful, sustainable employment.
Working closely alongside colleagues across Better Days Bolton, you will manage a caseload of people who would like to find paid employment as part of their recovery journey. You will provide personalised, practical support based on each individual’s strengths, aspirations and employment goals.
This is a varied and rewarding community-based role, with a hybrid mix of working from our Better Days Bolton office and across the local community. You will travel to different locations across Bolton depending on the needs of the people you support and the requirements of the role. IT equipment and a mobile phone will be provided to enable you to work effectively across different settings.
What You'll Do
- Provide tailored employment support to people accessing Better Days Bolton, helping them identify their goals and move towards paid employment.
- Your work will include career coaching, CV writing, job searching and application support, interview preparation and helping individuals build the confidence and skills they need to enter the workplace.
- Develop positive relationships with local and national employers, identifying suitable employment opportunities and understanding their recruitment needs.
- Attend job fairs and other employment-focused events and work closely with colleagues and partner organisations across Bolton.
- Using the IPS approach, support individuals to move towards employment as quickly as possible, recognising the positive role that meaningful work can play in someone's wider recovery journey.
To Succeed in This Role, You'll Need
- Experience of working with employers and understanding their recruitment needs.
- Good knowledge of the local labour market and the skills and approaches needed to successfully apply for vacancies.
- Experience of managing a caseload and providing individualised support.
- The ability to build positive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
- Enthusiasm, resilience and the ability to motivate and encourage others to achieve their goals.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- The confidence to work independently across office and community settings while also contributing effectively as part of a wider team.
- A genuine passion for helping people overcome barriers and make positive changes in their lives.
- Knowledge or experience of drug and alcohol services, the criminal justice system, welfare benefits or supporting people experiencing disadvantage would be advantageous.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be beneficial due to the community-based nature of the role and travel across Bolton, but this is not essential.
What We Offer
- 27 days' annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days' annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing Date: 2026-11-12
IPS Employment Specialist in Bolton employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both staff and service users. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to health equality, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in the vibrant city of Sheffield, this role as a Health & Wellbeing Nurse allows you to be part of a dedicated team focused on transforming lives and promoting mental health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment Specialist in Bolton
✨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 Waythrough.
✨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 Waythrough!
✨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 Waythrough, 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 Waythrough 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 Bolton
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 Waythrough:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Waythrough! 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 Waythrough
✨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.
