IPS Employment Specialist

Forward Trust; Dibden Purlieu; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Training and development opportunities

25 days annual leave (+ bank holidays)

Contributory pension scheme

Cycle to work

Job summary

The Forward Trust is hiring an IPS Employment Specialist to support people with mental health conditions or disabilities to enter or return to work across Medway, Gravesham and surrounding areas. You’ll deliver personalised, IPS-based coaching and build relationships with local employers to create opportunities.

You’ll manage a caseload of around 25 participants, helping with CVs, applications, interview prep and in-work support, with full IPS training provided and a requirement for a valid UK

Qualifications

• Experience supporting individuals with health conditions or disabilities to gain employment.
• Ability to work across Medway and Kent locations.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of around 25 participants and provide personalised support from first meeting to sustaining employment.
• Identify participants' skills, strengths, and career aspirations.
• Create Vocational Profiles and tailored Action Plans.
• Support with CV writing, job searching, applications, and interview preparation.
• Deliver one-to-one and group coaching to build confidence and employability.
• Connect participants with opportunities in the local labour market and with employers.
• Provide in-work coaching and guidance after employment starts.

Skills

Coaching

Relationship building

CV writing

Job search support

Driving license

Job description

IPS Employment Specialist: North Kent Medway & Gravesham

Location: Medway

Salary: Up to £28,000, depending on experience

About The Role

Are you passionate about helping people unlock their potential through meaningful employment?

We re looking for a motivated Employment Specialist to support people living with mental health conditions, long-term physical health conditions, or disabilities to move into work that suits their skills, strengths, and ambitions.

Working across Medway and Gravesham/Thanet/Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, you ll deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model as part of the Connect to Work programme. This evidence-based approach focuses on helping people move into competitive employment quickly, with personalised support that continues once they start work. Full IPS training will be provided, so if you bring the right passion and people skills, we ll equip you with the rest.

Due to the nature of the role, all applicants must hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.

What you ll be doing

You ll manage a caseload of around 25 participants who are motivated to start or return to work, providing personalised support from first meeting through to sustaining employment.

Your role will include:

• Identifying participants skills, strengths, and career aspirations
• Creating Vocational Profiles and tailored Action Plans
• Supporting with CV writing, job searching, applications, and interview preparation
• Delivering one-to-one and group coaching to build confidence and employability skills
• Helping participants overcome barriers including benefits concerns, health disclosures, or workplace adjustments

You ll also play an important role in connecting participants with opportunities in the local labour market.

• Build strong relationships with local employers across North and East Kent
• Identify opportunities in both the advertised and hidden job market
• Match participants to suitable vacancies and coordinate interviews
• Work with employers to promote inclusive recruitment and reasonable adjustments

This role is highly collaborative and community-focused. You ll work closely with clinical teams, community organisations, training providers, and employers to ensure participants receive holistic support.

Once someone starts work, your support doesn t stop. You ll continue to provide in-work coaching and guidance, helping participants settle into their role, build confidence, and sustain long-term employment.

About you

We re looking for someone who is passionate about people and motivated by helping others achieve their goals. You may come from a background in:

• Health or wellbeing services
• Employability or welfare-to-work programmes
• Adult skills, training, or education
• Recruitment or employer engagement
• A driving license and access to a vehicle

You ll also bring strong relationship-building skills, the ability to motivate and coach individuals, and confidence working independently within the community.

If you re looking for a rewarding role where you can make a real difference in people s lives through employment, we d love to hear from you.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -

• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.