Advanced Lived Experience Employment Specialist

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Travel discounts

Employee assistance programme

Retail discounts

Job summary

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust seeks an Advanced Lived Experience Employment Specialist to drive IPS-based employment support across the organisation. The post holder will recruit, supervise and develop the Peer Employment Specialist workforce, using lived experience to inspire recovery and competitive employment outcomes.

Working alongside the Trustwide Employment Services Team, they will contribute to workforce development, quality assurance, and joint working on best

Qualifications

• Experience as an Employment Specialist within the IPS model.
• Lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties.

Responsibilities

• Support IPS access targets across the organisation.
• Recruit, supervise and develop the Peer Employment Specialist workforce.
• Provide consultation on best practice of the Peer IPS blended model.

Skills

Lived experience

IPS experience

Job description

The role of the Advanced Lived Experience Employment Specialist (ALXES) has been developed specifically for people who are experienced in an Employment Specialist role within the IPS model and have lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties.

Please note: This vacancy doesnotmeet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. "Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."

As such, if you don't meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in thePre-Screening Immigrationsection of your application form.

Please noterole eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).

For further info please visit:Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

This role will support access to the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model across the organisation, whilst contributing to the ongoing development, sustainability, and quality assurance of the Peer Employment Specialist (PES) workforce.

Alongside the Trustwide Lived Experience Peer Support Lead and the Employment Services Manager, they will support, develop, and strengthen the Peer Employment Specialist workforce and have responsibility for the recruitment, professional peer supervision and skills development of this group. In addition, they will undertake joint working and provide consultation in relation to best practice of the Peer IPS blended model.

In all aspects of this role, the post holder will utilise their lived experience of the role employment has played in their recovery, to inspire the hope and belief that people with mental health difficulties can thrive in employment.

The post holder will also occasionally support the Recovery and Wellbeing College employment-focused offer across the Trust, supporting borough engagement, co-delivery opportunities, and equitable access to employment-related learning opportunities.

The post holder will carry a caseload to support the delivery of the IPS Access target whilst ensuring high-quality, recovery-oriented employment support is delivered in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.

Working for Central North West London NHS Trust

You will also be part of the Trustwide Employment Services Team which comprises of over 50 people.

You will receive a number of staff benefits working for CNWL Trust, this includes an attractive pension scheme, a range of staff networks, travel discounts, employee assistance programme and discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide.

The role is intentionally agile and responsive, adapting to service demand, workforce capacity, and organisational priorities. During periods where Peer Employment Specialist staffing capacity is reduced, the post holder will take a more active operational role in supporting IPS access targets, direct employment support, and service delivery across boroughs and teams. During periods where PES staffing capacity is established and stable, the post holder will focus more heavily on workforce development, quality assurance, supervision, training, co-production, and the continued development of the Peer IPS model.

In all aspects of this role, the post holder will utilise their lived experience of the role employment has played in their recovery to inspire hope and demonstrate that people with mental health difficulties can thrive in competitive employment and recovery.