Individual Placement and Support - Employment Team

Morgan Hunt; Colchester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Hunt is recruiting an IPS Employment Specialist to join our Colchester service. This full-time agency assignment involves supporting people with complex needs into sustainable employment, building relationships with candidates and local employers, and working within an established employment team.

The role requires a proactive, person-centred approach, strong communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to travel locally to meet service users and employers.

Qualifications

• Experience with IPS or employment support.
• Proven ability to engage with employers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong negotiation and commercial awareness.
• Experience supporting people with complex needs (substance misuse or mental health).

Responsibilities

• Identify employment goals and move candidates toward sustainable work.
• Build relationships with local employers to create opportunities.
• Develop positive relationships with service users, partners and employers.
• Work toward employment targets in a busy, target-driven environment.
• Communicate confidently with employers and stakeholders at all levels.
• Use negotiation skills to create opportunities and outcomes.
• Support people with complex needs with person-centred employment support.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation; uphold organisation standards.
• Travel within local area to meet service users and employers.

Skills

IPS knowledge

Employment support

Employer engagement

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Mental health awareness

Substance misuse

Caseload management

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Job description

IPS Employment Specialist - Colchester

Location: Colchester
Role: IPS Employment Specialist / Employment Support Worker
Hours: Full-time
Contract: Agency assignment
Driving: Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle required

About the Role

We are currently recruiting for an IPS Employment Specialist to join an established employment team within a service in Colchester. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting people with complex needs into sustainable employment and enjoys building strong relationships with both candidates and employers.

Key Responsibilities

• Support individuals to identify their employment goals, overcome barriers and move towards sustainable work.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers to identify suitable employment opportunities.
• Develop positive relationships with service users, colleagues, external partners and employers at all levels.
• Work towards employment-related targets and outcomes within a busy, target-driven environment.
• Communicate confidently with employers and other stakeholders, including senior-level contacts.
• Use negotiation and commercial skills to create opportunities and achieve positive employment outcomes.
• Support people affected by substance misuse, mental health challenges or other complex needs, taking a person-centred approach to employment support.
• Maintain accurate records, complete relevant documentation and ensure excellent organisational standards.
• Travel within the local area to meet service users and employers as required.

About You

• Some knowledge or experience of Individual Placement and Support (IPS).
• Experience supporting people into employment, training or meaningful work.
• Experience engaging with and building relationships with employers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage with everyone from frontline staff through to senior/CEO-level stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation skills and commercial awareness.
• Experience supporting people affected by substance misuse, mental health or similar complex needs.
• A proven ability to build rapport and establish trusting relationships.
• Excellent written, verbal and organisational skills.
• A positive, enthusiastic and proactive approach.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team while also managing your own caseload and targets.
• Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

Why Apply?

Opportunity to work within an established IPS/employment team. Make a genuine difference by helping people overcome barriers and move into sustainable employment. Gain valuable experience working closely with employers and individuals with complex needs. Work in a role where relationship-building, creativity and commercial thinking are genuinely valued. If you have experience within IPS, employment support, substance misuse, mental health, homelessness or a related sector, we'd love to hear from you!