Employment Specialist

Recovery Focus; Whitehaven, Workington; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days’ annual leave (rises to 32)

Pension scheme with employer contribu.

Life assurance (3× annual salary)

Enhanced sick pay

Birthday leave

Professional fee reimbursement

24/7 online GP access

Recognition & long service awards

£500 bonus

Cycle to Work scheme

Blue Light/Card discounts

Free will writing

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking an IPS Employment Specialist to help clients find and sustain paid employment using the IPS model. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to understand skills and goals, while engaging employers to create real job opportunities and remove barriers to work.

You will stay with clients through the transition, supporting them into the workplace and celebrating progress on their recovery journey.

Qualifications

• Experience talking with employers and supporting people into work.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across levels.
• Ability to build employer networks and promote a positive message.
• Negotiation skills and commercial awareness.
• Passion, drive and empathy for recovery-focused work.
• Organised approach with ability to manage a varied caseload.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and recovery-focused practice.

Responsibilities

• Empower clients to pursue meaningful employment.
• Support job search, interviews, and workplace adjustment.
• Build strong relationships with local employers for inclusive hiring.
• Work flexibly to match individuals with suitable roles.
• Promote work as a fundamental part of recovery and wellbeing.

Skills

Employer engagement

Communication

Relationship building

Negotiation

Networking

Organisation

Equality & inclusion

Job description

IPS Employment Specialist - Recovery Steps Cumbria

Location: Whitehaven and Workington
Working Hours: 37 hours, Mon - Fri 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4:30pm
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

About the Role

As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will support our clients to find and sustain meaningful, paid employment. Using the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, you will work directly with clients to understand their skills, interests and career goals, while actively building relationships with employers to create real job opportunities.

This role blends coaching, advocacy, and employer engagement. You’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside health and support professionals, ensuring employment is integrated into each person’s recovery journey. You won’t just help someone get a job - you’ll support them into the workplace and stay with them as they settle in, helping remove barriers and celebrating their achievements along the way.

Your work will change lives by boosting confidence, independence, financial stability, and long-term recovery.

What You’ll Do

• Empower people to believe in their potential and pursue meaningful employment
• Support individuals through every stage, from job search and interview prep to workplace adjustment and ongoing success
• Build strong, positive relationships with local employers and advocate for inclusive hiring
• Work flexibly and creatively to match people with roles that align with their strengths and ambitions
• Promote the idea that work is a fundamental part of recovery and wellbeing

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:

• Experience talking with employers and supporting people into work
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with everyone from front-line teams to CEOs
• Confidence in building employer networks and promoting a positive message
• Negotiation skills and commercial awareness
• Passion, drive, empathy and belief in people’s potential
• Ability to stay organised and manage a varied caseload
• A commitment to equality, inclusion, and recovery-focused work

We don’t expect you to know everything about IPS as full training and support will be provided.

To view the full job description and person specification,

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our and portals
• £500 bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team:

Closing Date

2026-11-15