IPS Employment Specialist

NHS; Alnwick; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking an IPS Employment Specialist in Alnwick. This role involves supporting individuals with mental health difficulties in achieving their employment goals. Candidates must have a degree, experience in multidisciplinary teams, and strong communication skills. The position offers a dynamic work environment with travel across the North East.

Benefits

Dynamic working environment

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years experience working with people with mental health difficulties.
• Experience working in a health setting.
• Evidence of experience working in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Working closely with service users to help them achieve employment goals.
• Building effective relationships with local businesses and professionals.
• Managing a caseload independently.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Coaching and active listening

Flexibility

IT proficiency

Education

Educated to degree level or equivalent

Job description

Overview

IPS Employment Specialist role within Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust. The closing date is 07 October 2025.

We are recruiting to our Northumberland IPS team for one full-time, permanent position. This post will be based in the Alnwick area; however, the post holder will be expected to travel across the North East and Northumberland to meet the needs of our service users.

Main duties of the job

The IPS Employment Support Service focuses on three groups: 1) People accessing Secondary Care mental health services who would like advice or support regarding employment. 2) Local businesses who employ people. 3) Healthcare professionals working within CNTW.

As a member of the IPS Service you will work closely with these groups, actively engaging and building strong, professional relationships with all three. You will listen, adapt your practice and personalise your support to maximise outcomes such as:

1. People using our service achieving their employment ambitions and benefiting from the improved physical and mental health associated with good employment.
2. Local employers being supported to meet and retain talented, highly skilled people who may have difficulty attaining or retaining employment due to health conditions.
3. Healthcare professionals across CNTW understanding the IPS offer, knowing how to access or refer to us, and supporting people to achieve their employment and recovery goals.

About us

CNTW aims to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce who are caring and compassionate, able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. We offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

The CNTW IPS Service has supported hundreds of people to secure paid employment and to retain employment that helps them thrive. We offer an exciting and varied role that rewards creativity and an action-orientated attitude.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details. We welcome your application.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and employment history

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Evidence of experience working in a multidisciplinary team
• Uses strong personal examples of building professional therapeutic relationships
• Minimum 2 years experience working with people with mental health difficulties
• Additional training, qualifications or specific employment support experience
• Experience working in a health setting
• Experience of managing a caseload independently
• Lived experience/carer experience

Knowledge and experience

• Knowledge or experience of working in employment related services and/or Mental Health services
• Strong understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment methodology (place, train, maintain)
• Knowledge of policies and legislation related to protection and promotion of employment rights for people with disability
• Understanding of statutory issues that may impact our service users attaining employment
• Knowledge of employment law and Equality Act 2010
• Knowledge or training in IPS methodology and principles
• Knowledge and experience of living or working in the Alnwick area

Skills and competencies

• Strong personal examples of multi-agency teamwork
• Outstanding communication skills including verbal and written
• Excellent coaching and active listening skills
• Outstanding ability to build rapport with a wide range of people
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Proven ability to use IT systems
• Ability to meet travel requirements of the role

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and, as such, a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust