CTW IPS Employment Specialist Preston

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

Benefits offered by this job

Driving licence

Pension

Health plan

Annual leave 33 days

Birthday day off

GP access

EAP

Death in service

Cycle to Work

Training opportunities

Job summary

Standguide Group in Preston is seeking an Employment Specialist to support people with mental health support needs to find and sustain meaningful, competitive employment. You’ll work using IPS to place each person at the centre of their journey into work.

No IPS experience required as full training is provided. You will build trusted relationships with clients and employers, manage a caseload, and help clients identify skills, search for jobs, prepare CVs and applications, and access local

Qualifications

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience of supporting people with mental health, health-related needs or other barriers to employment.
• Understanding of challenges faced by health-restricted job seekers.
• Experience in employability, health, social care, community services or the voluntary sector.
• Ability to build respectful, trusting relationships with clients and employers.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required.

Responsibilities

• 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 IPS principles and fidelity standards.
• Identify client skills, interests and employment aspirations and develop action plans.
• Support clients with job searches, CVs, applications and interview preparation.
• Develop relationships with employers and promote inclusive recruitment.
• Provide ongoing in-work support and liaise with healthcare professionals and partners.

Skills

Mental health support experience

Relationship building

Communication skills

Independent working

Driving licence

IPS knowledge (advantage)

Education

Degree-level qualification

Job description

Role: CTW Employment Specialist PrestonSalary: £31,049Contract type: PermanentWorking hours: Full Time (37.5 hrs pw)Location: Preston PR1

Make a difference through meaningful employmentAre 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.

Benefits

• ( A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required)
• 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
• Workplace pension scheme
• 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

What you’ll do

• 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

What you’ll need

• A degree‑level qualification or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience of supporting people with mental health, health-related needs or other barriers to employment
• An understanding of the challenges people with health support needs may face when seeking or sustaining work
• Experience gained within employability, health, social care, community services or the voluntary sector
• The ability to build respectful, trusting and productive relationships
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Good record-keeping skills and attention to detail
• The confidence to work independently and use your own initiative
• The ability to develop relationships with employers and promote the service
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required
• Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.

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.

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.

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