Employment Specialist (Ref: 0022ZA)

NHS; Wigan; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking an Employment Specialist for their IPS team in Wigan, dedicated to helping disadvantaged individuals find meaningful employment. This role involves engaging with employers, customizing support for clients, and making a positive impact in the community. The position offers a supportive work environment with benefits including annual leave, flexible working options, and a referral bonus.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Extra day off for birthday or special occasion

Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

2 days paid volunteer leave annually

Auto-enrollment into pension scheme

Access to Blue Light Card for savings

Flexible working options

£500 bonus for successful referrals

Qualifications

• Experience supporting individuals facing barriers to employment.
• Knowledge of issues faced by people in treatment or recovery.
• Ability to engage effectively with employers.

Responsibilities

• Support clients in finding meaningful employment.
• Engage with employers to match individuals to roles.
• Customize support to meet individual needs.

Skills

Communication

Relationship Building

Presentation Skills

Flexibility

Curiosity

Tools

Office Suite

Google Workspace

Job description

We currently have a position in our IPS team to support our clients in finding meaningful employment. We are interested in hearing from applicants with experience in supporting disadvantaged individuals in finding work, or who have worked within recruitment or HR settings with a good understanding of placing individuals into employment or providing support within a work environment.

Main duties of the job

Our IPS (Individual Placement and Support Employment Specialists) team aims to increase the number of people transitioning into meaningful employment from our drug and alcohol support service. This is a new project, offering an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives. No two days are the same; we treat each person as an individual, so being flexible, curious, and a good listener are key qualities.

About us

WithYou provides free, confidential support to over 100,000 people annually across England and Scotland, addressing issues related to drugs, alcohol, and mental health. Our name reflects our mission - a positive space for progress, connection, and expert help tailored to individual needs. Our staff team is committed to changing lives. If you're passionate about helping others, we'd love to hear from you.

Job responsibilities

Do you believe you have the skills to support people back into employment? Are you proud of your work and able to think creatively about how organizations can collaborate to improve services? Are you comfortable engaging with employers and helping match individuals to meaningful roles? We seek a passionate individual to join our team in Wigan & Leigh, dedicated to making a positive impact. We offer support, respect, and a safe environment, customizing our approach to meet each individual's needs, fostering personal growth and empowerment. To learn more about IPS employment support, please see this video. Working hours are Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm, with some on-call work in evenings and weekends. This is a Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2026.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• An extra day off for your birthday or a special occasion
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• 2 days paid volunteer leave annually
• Auto-enrollment into We Are With You's pension scheme
• Access to a Blue Light Card for savings on high-street and online brands
• Flexible working options and resources to support wellbeing
• Refer a Friend scheme offering a £500 bonus for successful referrals after 6 months' probation

DE&I Commitment

We are committed to building an inclusive culture that celebrates diverse voices and experiences. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including those with lived experience, disabilities, from racialized communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of all ages, and armed forces veterans. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for veterans and candidates with disabilities who meet the essential criteria.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A full job description will be provided upon request by contacting [e-mail]

Experience

• Experience supporting individuals facing significant barriers to employment
• Knowledge of issues faced by people in treatment or recovery in the job market
• Ability to develop relationships with stakeholders, including employers, partner agencies, clients, and families
• Understanding of various occupations and effective employer engagement strategies
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency with Office Suite and Google Workspace

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires a DBS check due to the nature of the work and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.