Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support)

IPS Grow; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Change Grow Live (CGL) is recruiting an IPS Employment Specialist in Manchester to help people in recovery secure meaningful paid work using the evidence-based IPS approach. You’ll build strong relationships with participants, employers, and treatment teams to support job search and sustainable employment.

The role involves managing a caseload, delivering person-centred IPS guidance, coordinating referrals with treatment services, and recording progress to drive service development.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of individuals receiving treatment and help them secure paid employment in line with preferences.
• Deliver IPS employment support approach with person-centered guidance.
• Foster relationships with local employers to create employment opportunities.
• Collaborate with treatment staff to identify referrals and provide integrated support.

Skills

Communication skills

Team management

Data collection

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support)

Manchester | Change Grow Live (CGL)

Permanent contract

Could you help someone affected by drug or alcohol use find meaningful employment and build a brighter future? Join Change Grow Live as an IPS Employment Specialist and support people across Manchester to secure and sustain paid work through the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach.

Deadline: 29th September 2026

• North West
• Full-time

Job overview

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

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.

This is your chance to be part of something remarkable – an opportunity to contribute to an established IPS service operating in Manchester.

Role

As an IPS Employment Specialist, you’ll lead this groundbreaking effort, developing project management, stakeholder engagement, and implementation skills. Extensive training and ongoing support will be provided to ensure your success.

Where: Manchester

Hours: Full Time, 37.5 per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Responsibilities

• In this role, you’ll manage a caseload of 25 individuals receiving structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol use, helping them secure sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences.
• You’ll deliver the IPS employment support approach, offering person-centered advice and guidance while fostering positive relationships with local employers to create employment opportunities.
• Your focus will be on helping clients sustain their employment while working collaboratively with treatment service staff to identify potential referrals and provide integrated support leading to job acquisition and retention.
• IPS is a fundamental commitment in the Government’s Drug Strategy, revolutionising employment support in all treatment services in England. This evidence-based model ensures service users secure preference-led paid work, significantly more effective than any other support.

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

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

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