Employment Officer

Southampton City Council; Southampton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Southampton City Council is seeking an IPS Employment Officer to support individuals in Southampton to find and sustain paid employment in community settings. The role focuses on one-to-one support, CV development, interview prep and employer engagement, with training provided and guidance from an experienced team.

This is a field-based position across NHS and community settings, requiring strong organisation and self-motivation to manage a diary and work away from a traditional office.

Qualifications

• Community-based role requiring field-based engagement across Southampton.
• Full training provided with ongoing support.
• Experience in employment support is beneficial but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals to access and sustain paid employment.
• Build trusting relationships with clients facing health barriers.
• Meet clients regularly to understand strengths and aspirations and identify opportunities.
• Assist with CV development and interview preparation.
• Advocate to employers about inclusive recruitment and workplace support.
• Develop relationships with local employers and community organisations.
• Promote hope and positive expectations around employment.
• Coordinate with healthcare professionals and support services for joined-up support.

Skills

Empathy

Independent Working

Communication

Organisation

Resilience

Collaboration

Belief in People

Job description

Employment Officer

We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and self-directed individual who wants to make a genuine difference to people's lives through employment. This position, with full training and ongoing support, is a fantastic opportunity to build a career in supported employment and help people with health needs and other barriers achieve their employment goals.

As an IPS Employment Officer, you will support people on a one-to-one basis to find and sustain meaningful paid employment that matches their interests, skills and aspirations. Working as part of a passionate and experienced team, you will help create a fairer and more inclusive community where people who face disadvantages can access the benefits and opportunities that employment provides.

This is primarily a community-based role. Much of your time will be spent meeting clients in NHS, community and support settings across Southampton, building relationships with partner organisations and supporting people in environments where they feel comfortable. The role involves a high degree of independent and lone working, so we are looking for someone who is organised, self-motivated and confident managing their own diary whilst working away from a traditional office environment.

Whilst experience within employment support would be beneficial, it is not essential. We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds who share our belief that everyone can work with the right support and who are committed to helping others achieve their goals.

What is an IPS Employment Officer?

This is a rewarding and dynamic role where no day is the same and you'll be making a genuine difference to people's lives. Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, you will:

• Support and motivate individuals with health conditions and other barriers to access and sustain paid employment.
• Build trusting, supportive relationships with people who may be experiencing mental health challenges, substance misuse issues, physical health conditions or other complex barriers.
• Regularly meet with clients to understand their strengths, interests and aspirations and help them identify suitable employment opportunities.
• Support clients with CV development, interview preparation and managing their health and wellbeing in work.
• Advocate for clients by educating and engaging employers about the benefits of inclusive recruitment and workplace support.
• Develop relationships with local employers and community organisations to identify opportunities for clients.
• Promote hope, opportunity and positive expectations around employment, helping people to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
• Work closely with healthcare professionals, support services and other partners to ensure people receive joined-up and effective support.

Who are we looking for?

Empathy and Compassion

You enjoy helping people and can build trusting relationships with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. You are a good listener, non-judgemental and genuinely interested in supporting people to achieve their goals.

Independent Working

You are comfortable managing your own workload and diary, working across community, NHS and support settings, and making decisions whilst working independently for much of the week.

Communication

You can build positive working relationships with clients, healthcare professionals, support services, community partners and employers. You are confident communicating face-to-face, by telephone and in writing.

Organisation

You can manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records, ensuring client information and case notes are completed in a timely manner.

Resilience

You understand that progress is not always straightforward and can remain positive, supportive and focused when people experience setbacks or challenges.

Collaboration

Although much of the role involves working independently, you value being part of a wider team and can develop effective relationships with colleagues and partner organisations to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Belief in People

You believe everyone can work with the right support and are passionate about helping people identify and achieve their employment goals.

Things to Note About the Role

• This is a community-based role and much of your time will be spent meeting clients and partner organisations across Southampton rather than working from a fixed office location.
• We organise our time around the needs of the people and organisations we support, so applicants should expect community-based working to be the default. There may be occasional opportunities to work from home where service needs allow, but this is not a regular feature of the role.
• The role involves a significant amount of independent and lone working. You will have regular supervision, team meetings and support, but should be comfortable managing your own diary and workload for much of the week.
• Employment support experience is beneficial but not essential. Full training will be provided, and we welcome applicants from a range of professional and personal backgrounds.
• Building trusting relationships with clients is at the heart of the role. We are looking for people who are supportive, empathetic and committed to helping others achieve their goals.
• Whilst the role is initially within the IPS service, Southampton City Council delivers a range of employment support programmes. As services develop, funding changes or new opportunities arise, staff may have the opportunity to work across different projects, client groups and delivery models. Training and support will be provided where required.

This role is fixed term until 31 March 2028 and is 37 hours per week. There may be the possibility of the contract being extended, subject to contract performance, funding and service requirements; however, any extension cannot be guaranteed.

Contact details for informal discussion:

For an informal chat about the role please contact Lisa on [e-mail].

Recruitment contact details:

Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]

For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council

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