Employment Specialist

Southdown; Waldron; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cash-back

Interest-free loans

Easit Network

Blue Light Card

Counselling service

25 days holiday

Job summary

Southdown’s Work & Wellbeing Service seeks an Employment Specialist to help clients gain sustainable paid employment. Co-located with the Neighbourhood Mental Health Team and in partnership with Sussex Partnership, you will work across Hailsham/Uckfield areas with some remote/community-based duties.

You will deliver IPS with person-centred guidance, develop employer relationships, and support individuals with varied mental health needs in finding suitable work, while benefiting from Southdown’s

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and adaptability to diverse client needs.
• Understanding of employment needs for people experiencing mental health issues.
• Knowledge of co-production and personalised care approaches.
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be paid by Southdown.
• A full driving licence with access to a vehicle is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support clients in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences.
• Deliver the IPS model with person-centred guidance.
• Build positive relationships with local employers to create employment opportunities.

Skills

Exceptional communication

Understanding employment needs (mental

Co-production principles

DBS check (paid by employer)

Full driving licence

Job description

Description

Location: Hailsham base, co-located in Uckfield
Hours: 37 per week
Base Salary: £28,640 per year
Technical Premium*: 5% additional to salary of £1,432 per year (based on base salary) effective from 1 April 2026 - reviewed annually.
*The technical premium is paid in addition to the base salary in recognition of the external benchmarking for the role. Conditions apply.

What you’ll be doing:

Southdown’s Work & Wellbeing Service helps people accessing treatment for mental health support, back into employment. As an Employment Specialist, you’ll be working in partnership with Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust and co‑located within the Neighbourhood Mental Health Team, with some remote and community‑based working.

Working as part of the Secondary Mental Health Care team, you’ll support clients in treatment for varied mental health issues, assisting them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model; providing person centred guidance to clients, whilst building positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into suitable employment.

Do you understand the importance of work and the vital role it can play in the lives of those with mental health conditions? Here’s a short video about a day in the life of our mental health Employment Specialist: A day in the life of an IPS Employment Specialist

We welcome applications from candidates with previous experience such as Employability Practitioner, Employment Specialist, Recruiter, Employment Advisor, Employment Support Officer, Career Specialist or Job Coach. Or you may be looking for a new challenge and believe you have the transferable skills to support individuals to fulfil their employment goals.

Perks and benefits:

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high‑street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.

Knowledge, skills and experience

What you’ll need for the role:

• You will need exceptional communication skills, be reactive to the differing needs of the client and be able to adapt your approach as appropriate.
• An understanding of the employment needs and challenges for people experiencing mental health issues
• Knowledge of the principles of co‑production and a personalised care approach
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown
• A full driving licence is essential along with access to your own vehicle or a vehicle insured for you

What would be nice:

• Experience supporting clients experiencing mental health challenges, including those in crisis and/or facing complex challenges.

Training:

Our award winning in house training team will help you to gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.

The application closing date is 1 November 2026 and interviews will be held on 9 November 2026.

Our online careers page has a list of helpful FAQs that you can view here. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with recruitment via email at [e-mail]. We are a Disability Confident Employer and are fully committed to supporting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and welcome applications from all candidates that meet our job specifications. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, do get in contact with us, as we are always happy to discuss (or arrange a discussion with the recruiting manager) to explore if any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.