Employment Specialist

Trigon Recruitment Ltd; Slough; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Trigon Recruitment Ltd is seeking an IPS Employment Specialist for a community-based role in Slough. You will support individuals facing mental health and other barriers to employment using the IPS model, delivering tailored, person-centred employment support and working with employers and partners to identify opportunities.

The role emphasizes independence, recovery and long-term employment outcomes, with responsibilities including CV and application support, interview prep and ongoing in-work

Qualifications

• Experience supporting individuals into employment and progression.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of participants and provide one-to-one employment support.
• Build relationships with participants to understand strengths, aspirations and preferences.
• Provide CVs, job applications and interview preparation assistance.
• Deliver ongoing in-work support to sustain employment and progression.
• Develop employer relationships and identify job opportunities.
• Support guardianship of IPS fidelity and quality standards.

Skills

Employer relationships

Caseload management

Person-centred support

Interview preparation

Time management

Job description

IPS Employment Specialist

Location: Slough (Community-Based)

Salary: Up to £33,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Please note: due to community-based nature of this role/covering multiple sites, a full UK drivers license with access to own vehicle is required.

Role Overview

Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers to employment and achieve their career goals? We are recruiting an enthusiastic and motivated IPS Employment Specialist to join an established supported employment team in Slough.

Using the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, you will support individuals experiencing mental health challenges, disabilities, long-term health conditions and other complex barriers to find and sustain meaningful employment.

You will deliver person-centred employment support, working closely with participants, local employers, healthcare professionals and community partners to identify suitable job opportunities and help individuals achieve their employment aspirations.

This is a community-based role offering the opportunity to make a difference by promoting independence, recovery, inclusion and long‑term employment success.

We welcome applications from candidates with experience in IPS, supported employment, employability, mental health services, recruitment or community‑based support who are committed to helping people achieve positive employment outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Participant Support and Case Management

• Manage a caseload of participants, providing tailored, one‑to‑one employment support in line with IPS principles.
• Build positive, trusting relationships to understand individual strengths, skills, aspirations and employment preferences.
• Complete vocational profiling and develop personalised employment plans.
• Support participants to identify suitable career opportunities and progress towards their employment goals.
• Provide practical assistance with CVs, job applications, interview preparation and job‑search strategies.
• Deliver ongoing in‑work support to help participants sustain employment and progress in their careers.
• Work collaboratively with participants to address barriers and identify appropriate workplace adjustments and support.

Employer Engagement and Job Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers to identify suitable employment opportunities.
• Proactively develop job opportunities within both the advertised and hidden labour markets.
• Match participants to vacancies that reflect their skills, preferences and career aspirations.
• Promote inclusive recruitment practices and raise awareness of disability inclusion and reasonable adjustments.
• Work with employers to identify appropriate support strategies and facilitate successful job placements.
• Maintain employer relationships to support job retention, progression and long‑term employment outcomes.

Partnership Working

• Develop effective working relationships with mental health services, healthcare professionals, community organisations, referral partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with clinical and non‑clinical teams to integrate employment support into participants' wider recovery journeys.
• Attend partnership meetings and contribute to coordinated support plans where required.
• Promote the service within local communities and help develop effective referral pathways.

Performance, Quality and Compliance

• Work towards agreed employment outcomes, service targets and performance objectives.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date participant records, case notes and management information.
• Monitor progress and adapt support plans to reflect changing needs and circumstances.
• Ensure delivery follows IPS principles, fidelity requirements and relevant quality standards.
• Manage diaries, caseloads and competing priorities effectively to maximise participant engagement.
• Comply with safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and organisational policies.

Essential Criteria

• Experience supporting individuals into employment, helping them retain work or assisting with career progression.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with a diverse range of people.
• Experience delivering person‑centred support, coaching or guidance.
• Ability to develop employer relationships and identify suitable employment opportunities.
• Experience managing a caseload and working towards performance targets.
• Strong organisational, administrative and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and adapt to changing circumstances.
• A proactive, resilient and solution‑focused approach.
• Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience delivering IPS (Individual Placement and Support) services.
• Background in supported employment, employability, welfare‑to‑work or recruitment.
• Experience supporting individuals with mental health conditions, disabilities or long‑term health conditions.
• Understanding of recovery‑focused approaches and the relationship between employment and wellbeing.
• Knowledge of workplace adjustments, inclusive recruitment practices and employment-related benefits.
• Experience working with healthcare professionals, community services or referral partners.
• An established network of local employers or community stakeholders.
• Experience facilitating workshops, group sessions or employment‑related activities.