IPS Employment Specialist

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Employment Specialist for its IPS team in Oxfordshire. The role involves managing caseloads of individuals with mental health challenges, preparing them for employment, and collaborating with local employers to secure job opportunities. Applicants should be resilient, empathetic, and passionate about supporting clients in their journey to employment, with excellent career progression opportunities available.

Benefits

Excellent opportunities for career progression

27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

NHS Discount across various retailers

Competitive pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aiders

Qualifications

• Experience supporting individuals with mental health challenges.
• Proven skills in vocational profiling and action planning.
• Ability to build relationships with local employers.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of individuals waiting for or retaining employment.
• Support clients in setting goals and preparing for employment.
• Negotiate job opportunities with local employers.

Skills

Empathy

Resilience

Communication

Teamwork

Negotiation

Education

Relevant experience in mental health support

Job description

Do you have experience supporting people with mental health problems and working in supported employment services?

Are you seeking a varied new challenge in a supportive and dynamic team?

We are currently looking for an employment specialist to join the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team in Oxfordshire. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team who have been awarded a national Quality Kite Mark.

We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with a variety of experience. If you’re resilient, empathic and determined to open doors, challenge prejudice, and champion the skills and talents of individuals, a career in IPS could be for you.

These roles are for those who are passionate and proactive about supporting people who have experienced mental health challenges to live well in the community.

The role of an Employment Specialist in Oxford Health is incredibly dynamic and diverse. One moment you’ll be working closely with IPS clients to set goals, refining their CVs, or practising interview techniques, the next, you’ll be out in the local community approaching potential employers and discussing roles and job flexibility.

You will be working to support people either to gain employment or retain their current employment within the Oxfordshire Complex Needs Service.

This service offers assessment and treatment for people diagnosable with Personality Disorder. It uses a biopsychosocial model that puts the patient at the centre of their treatment.

The responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and who are waiting to either gain new employment or retain their current employment.
• Work directly with all relevant stakeholders - you will support the service users on your caseload to gain and retain paid employment.
• Prepare individuals for a return to work by supporting service users to understand their skills, aspirations and goals through vocational profiling and action planning.
• Build relationships with clinical teams and to regularly attend weekly meetings in order to discuss/create new referrals and feedback progress of clients to the wider team.
• Spend time getting to know local employers, in order to negotiate job opportunities that meet each individual’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.
  
  

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”

Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
  
  

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Shelley Monaghan Job title: Operational Service Manager Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 07500 785061

At Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust we want to employ people not just with experience, but with the aptitude and motivation to succeed and whose values resonate with our own.

Therefore, if you don’t meet all the requirements of the role and are unsure about applying but are excited about the opportunity, please do get in touch. We will be happy to discuss the requirements in more detail ahead of making a written application.