Connect to Work IPS Employment Specialist Preston - CTWESPR261026

Standguide Group; Preston; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Birthday day off

Health plan

Online GP access

Employee Assistance Programme

Death in service cover

Will-planning support

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Standguide is seeking an Employment Specialist to support people with mental health needs to find meaningful, sustainable work in Preston. You’ll apply the Individual Placement and Support model, focusing on each person’s interests, strengths and aspirations.

Full training is provided, and prior IPS experience is not required. You’ll build trust with clients and employers, manage a caseload, and help individuals recognise and achieve their potential through personalised plans and effective job

Qualifications

• Experience helping people with mental health barriers is beneficial.
• Ability to build trust with clients and employers.
• Strong listening and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients seeking employment.
• Deliver IPS-based support and develop personalised action plans.
• Identify job opportunities through outreach to local employers.
• Provide ongoing in-work support and progress updates.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

Connect to Work IPS Employment Specialist Preston - CTWESPR261026

Role: Connect to Work IPS Employment Specialist Preston

Salary: £31,049 per annum

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full-time (37.5 hrs pw)

Location: Preston (A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required)

Standguide is an employee-owned organisation, which means our employees have a voice in the business and a shared interest in its long-term success.

Alongside a rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference, we offer:

33 days’ paid annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing to 38 days after five full years’ service

An additional paid day off for your birthday

Company health plan following successful completion of probation

Online GP access

Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling and wellbeing support

Death in service cover

Will-planning support and access to a secure digital vault

Cycle to Work scheme

Company sick pay, subject to eligibility

A broad range of internal training and continuing professional development opportunities

Access to employee-owner benefits, subject to eligibility and qualifying service

Make a difference through meaningful employment

Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers and achieve their employment goals?

We’re looking for an Employment Specialist to support people with mental health support needs to find and sustain meaningful, competitive employment.

You’ll work using the Individual Placement and Support approach, an evidence-based model that places each person’s interests, strengths and aspirations at the centre of their journey into work.

You don’t need previous IPS experience, as full training will be provided. What matters most is your ability to build trust, work positively with people and employers, and help individuals recognise and achieve their potential.

About Standguide

For more than three decades, Standguide has supported individuals and employers across the UK . We provide employment, skills and support services that help people overcome barriers, develop their potential and move towards sustainable employment.

As an employee-owned organisation, we’re committed to investing in our people, delivering high-quality services and creating positive outcomes for the communities we support.

As a CTW IPS Employment Specialist, you’ll:

Manage a caseload of clients with mental health support needs who are motivated to start or return to work

Deliver support in line with the eight principles of the Individual Placement and Support model

Work towards the standards set out within the IPS Fidelity Scale

Build supportive and trusting relationships with clients

Help clients identify their skills, interests, experience and employment aspirations

Complete vocational profiles and agree personalised action plans

Support clients with job searches, CVs, applications, interview preparation and career development

Identify suitable employment opportunities through tailored job searching and direct contact with local employers

Explore both advertised vacancies and opportunities within the hidden job market

Develop positive relationships with employers and promote inclusive recruitment

Help employers understand workplace support needs and reasonable adjustments

Explore options such as job carving where this may help create a suitable opportunity

Provide ongoing in-work support to clients and employers once employment has been secured

Work closely with healthcare professionals, referral partners, colleges, training providers and other local organisations

Maintain accurate records and provide clear evidence of client progress and outcomes

Work independently within the community while remaining an active member of the wider team

experience or training in the Individual Placement and Support approach would be an advantage, but it isn’t essential.

Overseas equivalent qualifications will be considered.

We welcome applications from people with relevant lived experience and recognise the valuable insight this can bring to the role.

Equality and accessibility

Standguide is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to equality of opportunity and value the diversity of our employees, applicants and customers.

We’ll consider reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Please contact [e-mail] if you need the advert or application information in another format or require an adjustment at any stage.

All applicants will be assessed fairly against the published criteria for the role.

Pre-employment checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, confirmation of the applicant’s right to work in the UK and an Enhanced DBS check.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from working with us. Any information disclosed will be considered fairly and individually, taking account of its relevance to the role and the circumstances involved.

For a copy of the full job description and person specification, please email [e-mail].

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme