Employment Specialist

Job Summary
In the role of Employment Specialist, you will be at the forefront of empowering individuals with mental health support needs to achieve sustainable and personally fulfilling employment. The Employment Specialist manages a caseload and, utilising the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach, you will provide personalised guidance to clients, managing a caseload and forging positive connections with local employers. As a valued member of our community Mental Health team, you'll contribute to fostering a holistic recovery approach through the transformative power of employment.
Successful candidates will not only join a supportive environment but will also receive comprehensive employability training, ensuring they're well-equipped to excel in this role and make a meaningful impact within our team.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Core Responsibilities:
Manage a caseload of around 20 clients who have mental health support needs who are motivated to start/return to work
Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach for which training will be given
Meet and support clients to understand their key skills, aspirations, and goals through completing a Vocational Profile and produce an Action Plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment. This includes support with their job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques and career development
Assess clients support needs related to work which may include benefits/welfare advice, disclosure of mental health symptoms etc, and provide support & guidance
Attend weekly clinical team meetings as an embedded IPS practitioner
Source job opportunities for clients through tailored job search and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden as well as advertised employment opportunities
Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy and on-going contact with the employer to ensure job retention
Build relationships with colleagues in clinical teams to engage and generate referrals and create collaborative working partnerships with clinical staff (promoting employment as a positive intervention in the recovery journey)
Once employment has been secured continue to provide quality service through conducting regular visits, effective monitoring and in-work support to clients and employers to help sustain employment
To adhere to administrative and data capture protocols which record the progress of individuals, and to keep accurate and complete records of casework
To work independently, reliably and deliver consistently to deliver effective IPS practice
Ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation systems are adhered to and keep abreast of changing practice within vocational rehabilitation
To co-produce service development with service users where possible
To collect employment recovery stories from people accessing the service
Ensure that all relevant policies are implemented such as information governance, safeguarding etc
Participate in continuous learning about mental health conditions, their impact and how they can be managed and undertake mandatory training as required
Work flexible hours as required.
Relationship Management:
Establish positive and integrated relationships with clinical teams, employers, and other service providers. This includes:
To build and maintain employer relationships and maintain employer engagement database
Arrange regular meetings with clients to monitor and review progress pre and post-employment
Spend time getting to know local employers, in order to negotiate job opportunities that meet each individuals strengths, needs, abilities and preferences
To challenge inequalities experienced by clients and address existing discrimination, whilst ensuring a process of learning for the organisation
Work with employers to promote the service, identify job opportunities and ensure appropriate strategies are in place to reduce barriers in the workplace

this can include exploring job carving i.e., carving small slices of work from the duties other staff do not have time to do
To develop effective working relationships with a range of external agencies who can help individuals to achieve their employment goals. This may include local colleges and training providers
Equality & Diversity
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all and we value the diversity of our staff and customers and strive to create positive working relationships, so that everyone can work to the best of their abilities, free from discrimination, prejudice, harassment, or victimisation. Everyone has a contribution to make, and our services can be improved by harnessing the skills and contributions from customers, staff, and the community.
We welcome applicants with lived experience and encourage applications that reflect the relevance to the post.
Successful candidates will be subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.

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