IPS Employment Specialist - Ipswich Central | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Ipswich is seeking an empathetic Employment Specialist to support individuals with mental health needs in finding and sustaining employment. This role involves engaging with local stakeholders and championing the employment agenda within mental health teams. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and relevant experience. The position offers a 5-month fixed term contract with various benefits including NHS discounts and training opportunities.

Benefits

Season Ticket Loans

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent Training facilities

Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

Salary Sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in health or social care, recruitment, employment, or education services.
• Ability to build relationships with local employers.

Responsibilities

• Engage with stakeholders to create opportunities for service users.
• Champion the employment agenda within Mental Health Teams.
• Develop empowering relationships with service users.
• Provide evidence-based supported employment services.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Confidence in relationship building

Time management

Autonomy

Job description

Overview

Would you like an opportunity to help people who have mental health needs find work and help sustain employment? Do you currently work or have experience in health or social care, recruitment, employment or education services? If you have transferable skills to enable people to find /sustain employment, this is an excellent opportunity to join our team of Employment Specialists.

Our service has the IPS status as a National Centre of Excellence (Centre for Mental Health) and we require an empathetic and driven individual to join our team as an Employment Specialist in Ipswich, Suffolk on a 5 month fixed term contract (With the possibility of extension). You will be involved in helping people with mental health needs to decide on their employment goals including support with job searching, applications, interview skills and providing support after they have found work. As well as supporting those already in work with sustaining their employment, where their mental health is a contributing factor. You will be driven to build strong and lasting relationships with local employers, championing IPS and the individuals you support.

Responsibilities

• You will be required to directly engage with a range of stakeholders (e.g. DWP, Job Centre Plus, employment law firms, voluntary organisations etc.) but especially local employers in order to create opportunities for service users and to challenge stigma and discrimination that can at times be associated with mental health needs and employment. You will also be meeting and working with people and stakeholders in their local community.
• You will work within multi-disciplinary Mental Health Teams, alongside clinical colleagues and will be expected to ‘champion the employment agenda’, instilling the belief that people with mental health needs want to work and with the right support can work; and therefore generating referrals to the service.
• You will work in partnership with individual service users, developing relationships that are enabling and empowering.
• You will be providing an evidence based supported employment service (called Individual Placement and Support/IPS) which will require you to prepare individuals for employment by assessing needs; identifying strengths, help with benefits, support networks, travel to work plans etc.

Qualifications and Skills

• You must have strong communication skills and confidence in order to build up relationships with all relevant stakeholders including employers and businesses.
• You will be meeting and working with people and stakeholders in their local community.
• You will be skilled in managing your own time and working with a high level of autonomy; responsible to the Team Leader via regular supervision and support and accountable to the Service Manager.

Benefits and Environment

• Mutual commitment to the Trust values of Open, Compassionate and Empowering.
• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work

Notes

You will promote best practice within mental health and employment in the Trust and other organisations in the local area. This advert closes on Thursday 2 Oct 2025.