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Southdown; Hastings; Hybrid; GBP 1,500 - 1,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cost cash-back scheme

Interest-free loans

Access to the Easit Network

Blue Light card

Free advice and counselling service

Job summary

Southdown’s Work & Wellbeing Service helps people accessing treatment for mental health support, back into employment. As an Employment Specialist, you’ll be working in partnership with Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust and co-located within the Neighbourhood Mental Health Team, with some remote and community-based working.

Working as part of the Secondary Mental Health Care team, you’ll support clients in treatment for varied mental health issues, assisting them in securing sustainable paid

Qualifications

• Experience in roles such as Employability Practitioner, Employment Specialist, Recruiter, Employment Advisor, Career Specialist or Job Coach.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model to clients.
• Support clients in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences.
• Build positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into employment.

Skills

IPS model

Employer engagement

Person-centred guidance

Partnership working

Job description

Technical Premium*: 5% additional to salary of £1,432 per year (based on base salary) effective from 1 April 2026 - reviewed annually.

*The technical premium is paid in addition to the base salary in recognition of the external benchmarking for the role. Conditions apply.

What you’ll be doing:

Southdown’s Work & Wellbeing Service helps people accessing treatment for mental health support, back into employment. As an Employment Specialist, you’ll be working in partnership with Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust and co-located within the Neighbourhood Mental Health Team, with some remote and community-based working.

Working as part of the Secondary Mental Health Care team, you’ll support clients in treatment for varied mental health issues, assisting them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model; providing person centred guidance to clients, whilst building positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into suitable employment.

Do you understand the importance of work and the vital role it can play in the lives of those with mental health conditions? Here’s a short video about a day in the life of our mental health Employment Specialist: A day in the life of an IPS Employment Specialist

We welcome applications from candidates with previous experience such as Employability Practitioner, Employment Specialist, Recruiter, Employment Advisor, Employment Support Officer, Career Specialist or Job Coach. Or you may be looking for a new challenge and believe you have the transferable skills to support individuals to fulfill their employment goals.

Perks and benefits:

Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.

Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.

Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.

Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.

Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.