At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health challenges to find and maintain employment or education.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with strong career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: A-levels or equivalent; experience supporting disadvantaged individuals is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 25877 - 34240 £ per year.
Location: Bristol
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Full-time Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03 per annum. Please note that the starting salary for this position is £29,693.00 per annum.
Applicants must hold a full, clean UK driving licence and have access to their own vehicle, as this is an essential requirement of the role.
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
The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialist supports people experiencing severe mental health difficulties to find, secure and sustain paid employment or education opportunities. The role follows the evidence-based IPS model, providing intensive, person-centred support that focuses on rapid job searching, ongoing workplace support and long-term employment retention.
Working closely with Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), employers, education providers and other partner organisations, you will play a key role in helping individuals achieve their recovery goals through meaningful employment and education.
What You'll Do
- Deliver a high-fidelity IPS service, supporting clients to gain and sustain paid employment or education opportunities.
- Meet clients in community settings to provide personalised employment and education support.
- Support clients with benefits and welfare advice, workplace adjustments and decisions around disclosing mental or physical health conditions.
- Build strong relationships with employers, education providers, Jobcentre Plus and local organisations to create opportunities for clients.
- Provide ongoing in-work or in-education support to both clients and employers where required.
- Arrange regular reviews with clients to monitor progress and support long-term employment or education retention.
- Maintain effective partnerships with Community Mental Health Teams, contributing to a holistic approach to recovery.
- Promote the IPS service and develop new employer engagement opportunities.
- Facilitate or support small group activities where appropriate.
- Work flexibly, where required, to meet client needs.
Administration
- Maintain accurate client records using IPS Fidelity paperwork and systems.
- Complete case notes, reports and management information within agreed timescales.
- Update clinical records using the RiO database and communicate client progress with clinical teams.
- Maintain Outlook calendars and other administrative systems to agreed standards.
- Ensure all documentation complies with organisational policies and IPS Fidelity requirements.
Professional Development and Team Working
- Attend weekly clinical team meetings as an embedded IPS practitioner where required.
- Participate in weekly group supervision and provide updates on client caseloads and employer engagement activity.
- Attend monthly one-to-one supervision with your Team Leader.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, employers, education providers and external partners.
- Work in accordance with organisational policies, health and safety procedures, lone working requirements and equality, diversity and inclusion principles.
What We're Looking For
Essential
- A-levels or equivalent qualification or above.
Desirable
- Level 3 Qualification (QCF) in Advice and Guidance.
Skills
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and listening skills.
- Strong motivational and engagement skills.
- Good organisational and time management abilities.
- Ability to work independently and use initiative.
- Experience facilitating or supporting small groups.
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with employers and partner organisations.
- Confident using computer systems, databases and Microsoft Office applications.
- Solution-focused with the ability to manage competing priorities.
Essential Experience
- Supporting disadvantaged or disabled people to obtain or sustain employment.
- Maintaining accurate electronic records and case management systems.
- Networking with employers and external organisations.
- Empathy and understanding of the challenges experienced by people with mental health difficulties.
- Ability to motivate, encourage and empower individuals to achieve their goals.
- Ability to travel throughout the local area using your own transport.
Desirable Experience
- Working within business, industry or education.
- Supporting people with mental health difficulties in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
- Knowledge or understanding of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and IPS Fidelity standards.
This role would suit someone who is passionate about recovery through employment, enjoys building relationships with employers and community partners, and is committed to delivering person-centred support that enables people to achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes.
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: 2026-07-23
IPS Employment and Education Specialist employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to impactful change, we offer a supportive work culture, generous annual leave, and various well-being initiatives, making it a fulfilling place to work for those passionate about guiding individuals towards recovery. Join us in a role where your contributions truly matter, and be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Employment and Education Specialist
✨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 and Education Specialist
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.
