Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support)

Change Grow Live; Crawley; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

An established charity is seeking an IPS Employment Specialist to empower individuals in their journey towards meaningful employment. This role involves managing a caseload of clients undergoing treatment for substance use, guiding them through job searches, and providing tailored support to ensure job sustainability. With a strong focus on compassionate care, you'll play a vital role in fostering personal growth and community integration. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a positive impact and enjoy comprehensive training and career development opportunities in a supportive environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Paid Wellness hour each week

Contributory pension scheme

Employee Assist Programme

Training and career development opportunities

Refer a friend scheme

Qualifications

• Prior experience in employment placement is essential.
• Understanding of supporting individuals with substance use needs is important.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small caseload of clients seeking paid work.
• Engage clients to develop tailored job search plans.
• Provide ongoing support and monitoring post-employment.

Skills

Motivational Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Listening Skills

Empathy

Education

Experience in Employment Placement

Understanding of Substance Use Support

Job description

At Change Grow Live, our dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of our Service Users is unwavering. We provide support, respect, and a safe environment, tailoring our approach to each individual's needs to discover the best treatment and care options.

Guided by our core values of being open, compassionate, and bold, our diverse team embodies these principles daily. We strive to empower individuals to reshape their lives, foster personal growth, and embrace life to its fullest.

Embark on a Journey as an IPS Employment Specialist at Change Grow Live

We are excited to welcome an enthusiastic individual to join our West Sussex service as an Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist. In this role, you'll manage a small caseload of clients currently accessing structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol use, guiding and supporting them to secure meaningful employment. As part of a community-based drug and alcohol treatment service, you'll build and nurture positive relationships within the community.

Change Grow Live is a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference in our Service Users' lives. We offer support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and support options.

Where Crawley, West Sussex

Full Time Hours 37.5 hours per week

Full Time Salary £29,529.80 - £32,002.35 Dependent on experience, pro rata for part time hours

• 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.
  
  
  

Roles and Responsibilities

You'll undergo comprehensive IPS training under our national lead and manage a caseload of service users motivated to seek paid work within structured treatment. Employment Specialists play a crucial role in service integration, promoting IPS, and nurturing relationships with treatment service staff.

• Managing a small caseload, undergoing structured substance use treatment, facilitating their motivation for work.
• Implementing the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) methodology, providing necessary training.
• Engaging clients to identify work skills, goals, and aspirations, and developing tailored job search plans.
• Assisting with job search, CV creation, applications, interviews, and career development, including targeted employer interactions.
• Creating In-Work Support Plans to address work-related client needs, including benefits and health-related advice for employment sustainability.
• Participating in weekly clinical team meetings, fostering relationships, and encouraging client referrals to the IPS service.
• Curating job opportunities through customised searches and employer liaison to secure both advertised and hidden job placements.
• Offering ongoing support, effective monitoring, and guidance post-employment to ensure job sustainability.
  
  
  

About You

For success in this role, you should possess

• Prior employment placement experience.
• Experience or understanding of working with individuals needing substance use support or similar client groups.
• Excellent motivational, communication, and attentive listening skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal abilities with a knack for building rapport.
• Non-judgmental, trustworthy, and empathetic approach toward mental health support needs.
  
  
  

What We Offer You

• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays. Additionally, you'll receive one extra day of annual leave for each year of service during your first five years, therefore you will enjoy 30 days of leave after five years with us
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week, ‘Wellness’ hub, and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Great benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A supportive team passionate about their work
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Refer a friend scheme for successful candidates
  
  
  

If you're excited about this opportunity, apply now and be part of our transformative journey at Change Grow Live.

Join us in making a positive difference in people's lives.

Please review the attached Job Description and Role Specifics for a detailed outline of responsibilities and Person Specification.

If you require sponsorship, please note that this role is not eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa. You may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route but must meet the minimum salary requirements for the role. You can find out more here Skilled Worker visa Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

CGL points 25 to 28 (£29,529.80 - £32,002.35)

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

16/5/2025

Martin Gilchrist-Burnard | [e-mail]

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.