IPS Employment Specialist - Addictions | Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking an IPS Employment Specialist in Milton Keynes to support individuals recovering from addiction in finding employment. This role involves working closely with clients to assist with job applications, CV production, and interview techniques. Candidates should have strong communication and organizational skills, and a degree-level education or relevant work experience is essential. You will receive training and access to a variety of opportunities within the mental health sector.

Benefits

Attractive pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Travel discounts

Retailer discounts

Qualifications

• Ability to motivate and build relationships with service users.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Confidence in communicating and engaging with employers.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals recovering from addiction to access paid employment.
• Meet clients regularly to assist with job matching.
• Advocate for clients with employers regarding the IPS service.

Skills

Motivational skills

Organisational skills

Persuasive communication

Relationship building

Time management

Education

Degree-level education or relevant work experience

Job description

We are looking for motivated, passionate self‑starters who want to kickstart a career in Addictions. These positions are a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and support those who have accessed specialist support for their substance use.

As an IPS Employment Specialist in Milton Keynes, you will play a vital role in helping people find meaningful and fulfilling employment. You’ll receive training and support, develop your skills, and have access to a broad range of opportunities. Joining a passionate and driven team, you’ll be working towards creating a fairer and more inclusive society for people.

We welcome applications from all experience levels and backgrounds. What you will need is the ability to motivate and build relationships with service users, strong organisational skills, the confidence to communicate and engage with a range of employers, multi‑agency partners, and a fundamental belief that anyone can work.

Please note we will measure the quality of the application you submit as an assessment method towards your suitability for the Employment Specialist Role.

Before submitting your application please proofread your application to ensure all areas are fully completed and check that spelling and grammar are correct.

What is an IPS Employment Specialist?

This is a rewarding and dynamic role where no day is the same and you’ll be making a genuine difference to people’s lives. Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model you’ll be:

• Supporting and motivating individuals who have received support for their addiction to access and sustain paid employment.
• Regularly meeting with clients to listen, offer support and help them identify their best job match, reflecting their skills and aspirations.
• Supporting the clients through CV production, interview techniques and managing their health at work.
• Advocating for your clients by educating and engaging with employers regarding the IPS service.
• Sourcing job opportunities for your clients through regular contact with local employers within the community.
• Promoting employment and raising expectations around the ability of service users to access paid employment, breaking down the barriers for them.

Working for Central North West London NHS Trust

You will also be part of the Trustwide Employment Services Team which comprises over 40 people.

You will receive a number of staff benefits working for CNWL Trust, including an attractive pension scheme, a range of staff networks, travel discounts, employee assistance programme and discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide.

This role is an excellent opportunity to start a long‑term career within the mental health sector, develop your skills and a gateway to the vast number of opportunities within CNWL.

Apply today to become an IPS Employment Specialist and make a real difference!

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working in our healthcare settings.

Note: this vacancy may not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship; role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC Code).

For further info please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Who are we looking for?

Firstly, you will need either a degree‑level education or relevant work experience, such as in the health and social care or employment sectors. Alongside having strong and persuasive communication skills, excellent time management and exceptional organisational skills. Also, the ability to initiate and develop relationships with a variety of individuals and be able to engage employers using a variety of methods such as via the telephone or face‑to‑face in the community.

It would also be helpful, but not essential, if you have experience of working with people with addiction support needs (or similar groups) or have experience working in employment support services (or equivalent), this can include working with people on a one‑to‑one basis, offering motivation and support, or engaging with a range of stakeholders. We are actively interested in individuals who have experience using a persuasive communication style or promoting a service to a variety of audiences, including marketing, recruitment, or sales roles.

This advert closes on Tuesday 9 Dec 2025.