IPS Team Manager

S Knights Recruitment; Preston; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-regarded employment services provider in Preston is seeking an experienced IPS Team Manager to lead a high-impact service. This role involves managing a team of Employment Specialists, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and supporting individuals with health needs into sustainable paid employment. The ideal candidate will have strong staff supervision experience and a solid understanding of supported employment principles. This position offers valuable opportunities for professional development in a collaborative and inclusive work culture.

Qualifications

• Experience in employability, health or social care services.
• Track record of achieving employment outcomes.
• Strong communication and motivational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of IPS Employment Specialists.
• Ensure service meets fidelity standards.
• Monitor performance, outcomes, and quality standards.

Skills

Experience within supported employment

Strong understanding of the IPS model

Proven experience of staff supervision

Strong employer engagement

Excellent leadership abilities

Job description

IPS Team Manager – Connect to Work

Salary: £30,000 – £34,000 per year

Location: Preston

Are you an experienced employability or supported employment leader who believes that meaningful work is a vital part of recovery and wellbeing? This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-impact IPS (Individual Placement and Support) service, supporting people with health needs into sustainable paid employment while shaping best practice at a regional level.

About the Company

This organisation is a well-established, values-led employability and skills provider with a strong track record of delivering high-quality, person-centred services across health and employment programmes. They are recognised for their commitment to social impact, staff development, and service excellence. You will be joining an organisation that genuinely invests in its people, offering structured supervision, continuous professional development, and the opportunity to influence service design. The culture is collaborative, inclusive, and recovery-focused, with lived experience valued and welcomed. Leadership is trusted, innovation is encouraged, and impact is clearly visible.

About the Job

As IPS Team Manager, you will lead and develop a small team of Employment Specialists delivering high-fidelity IPS services as part of a wider health and recovery pathway. You will ensure the service meets fidelity standards, achieves strong employment outcomes, and maintains excellent relationships with health partners and employers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing, coaching, and motivating a team of IPS Employment Specialists
• Providing regular, solution-focused supervision and caseload management
• Ensuring delivery aligns with IPS best practice and fidelity requirements
• Driving employer engagement and access to the hidden labour market
• Attending multidisciplinary team meetings and promoting the service
• Monitoring performance, outcomes, and quality standards
• Supporting staff training, development, and peer learning
• Managing a small caseload of complex clients where required
• Using service user feedback and recovery stories to shape continuous improvement
• Supporting budget management and operational planning

Ideal Candidate

To succeed in this IPS Team Manager role, you will bring :

• Experience within supported employment, employability, health, or social care services
• Strong understanding of the IPS model or supported employment principles
• Proven experience of staff supervision, management, or mentoring
• Background working with individuals with physical or mental health support needs
• Track record of achieving employment outcomes and service targets
• Strong employer engagement and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent leadership, communication, and motivational abilities

Desirable (but not essential) :

• Formal IPS training
• Experience delivering IPS services within health or NHS-linked environments
• Employability or Advice & Guidance qualifications
• Lived experience of recovery

Apply Now

If you are ready to lead a purpose-driven supported employment service and make a lasting difference to people’s lives, this IPS Team Manager role offers both challenge and reward. Apply now to take the next step in your employability leadership career