IPS Employment Specialist

Commercial Services Group; West Malling; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance cover 4x salary

Pension scheme

25 days annual leave + birthday off

Retail & gym discounts

Health cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Volunteer days & wellbeing programme

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

The Education People is expanding its Connect to Work programme across Kent and seeks an IPS Employment Specialist to deliver high-impact employments support. You’ll manage a dynamic caseload, work with employers and communities, and secure job and training opportunities for participants in a person-centred environment.

Using IPS, you’ll help individuals overcome barriers to work, track progress against KPIs, and promote inclusion and wellbeing across all interactions.

Qualifications

• A Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience delivering support via IPS/SEQF is preferred.
• Track record supporting people facing barriers to work.
• Strong knowledge of the UK welfare and employment system.
• Experience managing employer relationships and achieving job outcomes.
• Excellent time management, communication and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Manage a significant caseload using the IPS model.
• Deliver one-to-one personalized employment support and signposting.
• Engage with employers, identifying opportunities aligned to client goals.
• Support individuals to gain, sustain and progress in employment with coaching.
• Collaborate across multi-agency settings and maintain partnerships.
• Record and report progress against goals and KPIs.
• Promote inclusion and wellbeing with risk assessments.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Record-keeping

Independent working

Employer engagement

Relationship management

Welfare system knowledge

Education

Level 3 qualification

Job description

Location: Hybrid/Field-Based (Across West Kent)

Salary: £27,642

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

At The Education People, we believe that everyone deserves access to meaningful employment, no matter their background. We’re excited to be delivering the Connect to Work programme across Kent, as such, we’re expanding our Supported Employment Service and are looking for a driven and compassionate IPS Employment Specialist to deliver real impact for individuals who face disadvantage in the labour market.

Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, you'll manage a dynamic caseload and work closely with employers, partners, and communities to secure job and training opportunities for your participants. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a person-centred environment and wants to create lasting change through high-impact employment support.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a significant caseload, assessing each individual’s strengths, aspirations, and support needs using the IPS model.

• Deliver one-to-one, personalised employment support and signposting to services when needed.

• Engage and build strong relationships with employers, identifying opportunities aligned to your clients’ goals.

• Support individuals to gain, sustain, and progress in employment—offering job coaching, career planning, and in-work support.

• Collaborate across multi-agency settings and maintain strong stakeholder partnerships to enable integrated support.

• Record and report progress against goals and KPIs, keeping accurate, up-to-date records.

• Promote inclusion and safeguard wellbeing in all interactions, ensuring safe work environments through risk assessments.

What we need from you

• A Level 3 qualification (or equivalent experience).

• Ideally some experience delivering support via the IPS or SEQF model.

• A track record supporting people facing barriers to work—such as disabilities, mental health challenges, or social exclusion.

• Strong knowledge of the UK welfare and employment system.

• Experience managing employer relationships and achieving job outcomes.

• Excellent time management, communication, and record-keeping skills.

• Confidence working independently as well as part of a wider support network.

In return we will offer you

• Salary of £27,642

• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off

• Life assurance cover at four times salary

• Pension scheme

• Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts health cash plan and cycle to work scheme

• Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme

• Tailored learning and development support with real opportunities to progress

Why CSG?

CSG is the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £700 million in revenue per annum and supporting more than 16,000 education and public sector customers globally.

We are growing through a combination of organic development, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Our 35+ businesses deliver services across education, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and more, all focused on delivering meaningful impact.

As a locally owned organisation, we take pride in reinvesting a significant proportion of our profits into frontline services, helping strengthen the communities we serve.

Inclusion & Accessibility

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds.

As a member of Inclusive Employers with Silver Accreditation, we are actively building an environment that supports inclusion, flexibility and belonging for all colleagues.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any.