Employment Recovery Worker

NHS; South Shields; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A wellbeing support organization in South Shields is recruiting an Employment Recovery Worker. The role involves supporting individuals with mental health needs in gaining and retaining employment. You will work with partners to provide tailored support, empowering clients to achieve their employment goals. Qualifications include experience in mental health and a NVQ Level 3 or equivalent. The position offers 37.5 hours per week with a salary of £25,958 per annum, progressing to £28,662. A driving license is preferred due to community-based work.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

5% contributory pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

Healthcare cash plan

Tailored induction and career development pathways

Qualifications

• Experience working with people with complex needs, particularly in mental health.
• Knowledge of the principles of the Equalities Act relating to employment rights.
• Ability to inspire and engage clients in employment support.

Responsibilities

• Identify and support clients in achieving their employment-related recovery goals.
• Work collaboratively with external agencies to support client employment.
• Maintain accurate records and monitor client progress.

Skills

Experience in Mental Health

Motivational skills

Understanding employment rights

Communication skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

Mental Health Matters (MHM) is recruiting an Employment Recovery Worker to join the South Tyneside Connect to Work team, delivering a new supported employment service over the next three years, in partnership with Northern Rights, a well‑established social enterprise based in the North‑East that specialises in employment, skills, and wellbeing support.

Main duties of the job

To ensure that employment related recovery goals are identified and met using vocational profiling and MHM Support Planning and outcome tools. To encourage service users to recognise, understand and manage factors that affect their mental wellbeing and physical health. To continuously assess risk and safety management issues for service user, staff and employers and to escalate concerns as appropriate and in line with organisational procedures. To empower individuals to identify and overcome obstacles to success in achieving their self‑determined goals, engendering self‑belief. To record and feedback to clients about their progress and achievements and to identify further goals which help them achieve their aspirations. To work with a range of partners and external agencies e.g. Jobcentre Plus and employers to ensure clients benefit from personalised and joined‑up support. To work as a team member, sharing information and supporting colleagues, peer workers/volunteers ensuring they have the knowledge, information, and resources to be successful in their roles and make a positive and valued contribution to the service. Participate in the monitoring requirements of the service by providing statistical and qualitative information on activities, success stories and outcomes achieved. To maintain accurate records as required by policies and procedures, using appropriate paper and electronic systems.

About us

MHM is one of the UK's most innovative organisations working with people with complex needs. We have a dedicated and experienced staff team of over 600 people providing a range of services which cover every aspect of individuals' lives. Our services cover employment needs, housing, community support and psychological services. At MHM we help people achieve good mental and physical wellbeing and live life to the full.

Job responsibilities

Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £25,958 per annum with progression up to £28,662 per annum
Basis: South Tyneside

Mental Health Matters (MHM) is recruiting an Employment Recovery Worker to join the South Tyneside Connect to Work team, delivering a new supported employment service over the next three years, in partnership with Northern Rights, a well‑established social enterprise based in the North‑East that specialises in employment, skills, and wellbeing support.

We are looking for an individual who aspires to work in Mental Health and Employment Support. Your role will involve supporting individuals to gain employment, retain current employment and return to work after a period of absence. This could be to help with job retention, liaison with employers or assisting people in finding and keeping paid or voluntary work. It is important to understand the principles of the Equalities Act and how it relates to Employment Rights.

The role involves lone working with clients on a one‑to‑one basis through phone calls, video calls or face‑to‑face in community location. You will be expected to self‑manage a caseload of clients and set realistic employment goals and action plans. As part of your role, you will be expected to work in line with MHM values to promote the employment service within the wider community by liaising with external agencies such as Job Centre Plus and community providers. A driving licence and access to a vehicle is desirable due to the community element of this role.

About you: You will have experience of working within Mental Health and will be able to inspire and engage people and can identify barriers and understand client needs, while possessing excellent motivational skills. This will include supporting people within the employment sector, with knowledge of employment rights and job retention being advantageous. Working within a team, you will be able to demonstrate your experience in delivering results through your assessment, planning and facilitating of activities that focus on recovery and vocational skills. You will understand working with people with a variety of complex needs including mental health, your knowledge of working within a community‑based service is essential and will have equipped you with the relevant communication and interpersonal skills required for the role. Although not essential, it would be beneficial for you to have knowledge of employment law, the principles of the Equalities Act 2010 and how it relates to employment rights. You will be educated to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent or willingness to work towards, in the areas of Advice and Guidance, Health and Social Care or Customer Service. An awareness and/or experience of working with people who have experienced mental health issues would be an advantage. Please refer to the attached job description for full details on person specification for this role.

What we offer

• 25 days annual leave per annum, plus statutory holidays, rising with length of service
• 5% contributory pension scheme, with the opportunity to increase contributions
• Holistic approach to your health and wellbeing, including Employee assistance programme and personalised wellbeing action plans
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies, pay and leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Healthcare cash plan
• Discount platform covering online, high street and supermarket purchases
• Tailored induction and probation review programme to give you the tools you need to succeed in the role
• Structured career development pathways and support from our accredited Learning Team to provide advice and guidance on how to access development to allow you to flourish in your chosen career

How to Apply

We operate Safer Recruitment processes, so if you are interested in this role, you will need to apply via our online application form. Please ensure you answer all of the mandatory questions, and attach your personal statement showing how you meet the person specification criteria. This can be done on a separate document and uploaded as part of your application supporting documents.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We really value diversity and are committed to ensuring our processes are inclusive. We may ask some personal information during the application process, however, everything we ask is to ensure we can offer fair and accessible opportunities for everyone.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Jackie Holme – 07789 924995 or Emma Blue – 075909 50239.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Level 3 Coaching Qualification

Experience

• Experience of assisting unemployed people to gain employment
• Experience of working directly with a range of employers identifying and securing work opportunities
• Experience of performing vocational assessments (identifying training and employment needs)
• Experience of training, teaching, coaching/mentoring others
• Experience of using a range of self‑management or recovery tools and techniques

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Mental Health Matters