IPS Employment Specialist

Waythrough; Bolton, Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave (27–32 days)

Pension with employer contribution

Life assurance

Enhanced sick pay

Birthday leave

Professional qualification support

24/7 online GP & Employee Assistance

Recognitions & long service awards

Refer a Friend bonus £500

Cycle to Work

Discounts & wellbeing initiatives

Will writing service

Job summary

Waythrough is recruiting an IPS Employment Specialist for Better Days Bolton on a full-time, hybrid basis. You will support people recovering from substance use to move into paid work, offering tailored employment support, coaching, CV writing and job search assistance.

You will build relationships with employers, work across Bolton and provide proactive, person-centered help to achieve meaningful employment within your clients' recovery journey.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with employers and understanding their recruitment needs.
• Good knowledge of the local labour market and the skills and approaches needed to successfully apply for vacancies.
• Experience of managing a caseload and providing individualised support.
• The ability to build positive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Enthusiasm, resilience and the ability to motivate and encourage others to achieve their goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The confidence to work independently across office and community settings while also contributing effectively as part of a wider team.
• A genuine passion for helping people overcome barriers and make positive changes in their lives.
• Knowledge or experience of drug and alcohol services, the criminal justice system, welfare benefits or supporting people experiencing disadvantage would be advantageous.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be beneficial due to the community-based nature of the role and travel across Bolton, but this is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored employment support to people accessing Better Days Bolton, helping them identify their goals and move towards paid employment.
• Career coaching, CV writing, job searching and application support, interview preparation and helping individuals build the confidence and skills they need to enter the workplace.
• Develop positive relationships with local and national employers, identifying suitable employment opportunities and understanding their recruitment needs.
• Attend job fairs and other employment-focused events and work closely with colleagues and partner organisations across Bolton.
• Using the IPS approach, you will support individuals to move towards employment as quickly as possible, recognising the positive role that meaningful work can play in someone's wider recovery journey.

Skills

Employer liaison

Local labour market knowledge

Caseload management

Relationship building

Motivation and resilience

Communication skills

Independent working

Passion for helping people

Drug/alcohol services knowledge

UK driving licence

Job description

IPS Employment Specialist - Better days Bolton

Location: Better Days Bolton, Le Mans Crescent, Queen Street, Bolton, BL1 1SX

Working Arrangement: Hybrid - office and community-based working across Bolton

Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £25,877.80-£34,240.03 per annum

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we've created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services - and it's all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job - it's a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

About the Role

We are looking for an Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialist to join our team at Better Days Bolton on a full-time basis.

Better Days Bolton supports people affected by drug and alcohol use, helping individuals make positive changes and progress in their recovery. As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will play an important role in supporting people accessing the service to move towards and into meaningful, sustainable employment.

Working closely alongside colleagues across Better Days Bolton, you will manage a caseload of people who would like to find paid employment as part of their recovery journey. You will provide personalised, practical support based on each individual’s strengths, aspirations and employment goals.

This is a varied and rewarding community-based role, with a hybrid mix of working from our Better Days Bolton office and across the local community. You will travel to different locations across Bolton depending on the needs of the people you support and the requirements of the role. IT equipment and a mobile phone will be provided to enable you to work effectively across different settings.

What You'll Do

As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will provide tailored employment support to people accessing Better Days Bolton, helping them identify their goals and move towards paid employment.

Your work will include career coaching, CV writing, job searching and application support, interview preparation and helping individuals build the confidence and skills they need to enter the workplace.

You will develop positive relationships with local and national employers, identifying suitable employment opportunities and understanding their recruitment needs. You will also attend job fairs and other employment-focused events and work closely with colleagues and partner organisations across Bolton.

Using the IPS approach, you will support individuals to move towards employment as quickly as possible, recognising the positive role that meaningful work can play in someone's wider recovery journey.

To Succeed in This Role, You'll Need

• Experience of working with employers and understanding their recruitment needs.
• Good knowledge of the local labour market and the skills and approaches needed to successfully apply for vacancies.
• Experience of managing a caseload and providing individualised support.
• The ability to build positive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Enthusiasm, resilience and the ability to motivate and encourage others to achieve their goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The confidence to work independently across office and community settings while also contributing effectively as part of a wider team.
• A genuine passion for helping people overcome barriers and make positive changes in their lives.
• Knowledge or experience of drug and alcohol services, the criminal justice system, welfare benefits or supporting people experiencing disadvantage would be advantageous.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be beneficial due to the community-based nature of the role and travel across Bolton, but this is not essential.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days' annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days' annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [e-mail]

Closing Date: 2026-11-12