Employment Specialist

IPS Grow; Worthing; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization dedicated to empowering individuals through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program is seeking an Employment Specialist. In this full-time role, you will guide clients in structured treatment towards sustainable employment, fostering relationships with local employers and ensuring tailored support. You will benefit from extensive training while working in a collaborative and impactful environment.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent work experience.
• Strong communication skills for effective relationship building.
• Proficient in team management and support strategies.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of around 25 clients in structured treatment.
• Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach.
• Source job opportunities for clients and provide ongoing support.

Skills

Communication

Team management

Data collection

Relationship building

Education

Degree level or equivalent work experience

Job description

Are you passionate about guiding individuals toward meaningful employment in their recovery journey?

Deadline: 7th July 2025

• London
• Full-time

Job overview

Join Our Team and Make a Genuine Impact on Others’ Lives.

At Change Grow Live (CGL), we’re committed to empowering people through Individual Placement and Support (IPS), ensuring sustainable paid work aligned with their preferences.

As an Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support), you’ll lead this ground breaking effort, developing project management, stakeholder engagement, and implementation skills. Extensive training and ongoing support will be provided to ensure your success.

Where: Worthing
Full Time Salary Scale: £29,529.80 – £32,002.35 (pro rata for part time hours)
Hours: Full time – 37.5 per week
Contract Type:Fixed Term Contract for 6 months

• Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Role

• You will manage a caseload of clients in structured treatment for drug and/ or alcohol use to assist them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences.
• You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach (for which training will be given); providing person centered advice and guidance to clients, whilst building positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into suitable employment.
• You will work as part of a community drug and alcohol treatment service, maintaining positive and integrated relationships, fostering a holistic approach to recovery through employment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of around 25 clients in structured treatment for substance use who are motivated to start/return to work
• Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach for which training will be given.
• Meet and support clients to understand their key skills, aspirations, and goals through completing a Vocational Profile and produce an Action Plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment. This includes support with their job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques and career development.
• Assess client support needs related to work which may include benefits/welfare advice, disclosure of mental health symptoms etc., and provide support & guidance.
• Attend weekly clinical team meetings as an embedded IPS practitioner.
• Source job opportunities for clients through tailored job search and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden as well as advertised employment opportunities.
• Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy and on- going contact with the employer to ensure job retention.
• Build relationships with colleagues in clinical teams to engage and generate referrals and create collaborative working partnerships with clinical staff (promoting employment as a positive intervention in the recovery journey).
• Once employment has been secured continue to provide quality service through conducting regular visits, effective monitoring and in-work support to clients and employers to help sustain employment.
• To build and maintain employer relationships and maintain employer engagement database.
• Arrange regular meetings with clients to monitor and review progress pre and post- employment.
• Spend time getting to know local employers to negotiate job opportunities that meet

everyone’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.

• To challenge inequalities experienced by clients and address existing discrimination, whilst ensuring a process of learning for the organisation
• Work with employers to promote the service, identify job opportunities and ensure appropriate strategies are in place to reduce barriers in the workplace – this can include exploring ‘job carving’ i.e. carving small slices of work from the duties other staff do not have time to do.

The person

• Educated to degree level or equivalent work experience
• Strong communication skills for effective relationship building
• Proficient in team management and support strategies
• Aptitude in data collection and reporting for IPS services
• Dedication to assisting individuals secure paid employment
• Proven ability to connect with individuals, especially those affected by substance misuse