Senior IPS Employment Specialist (Ref: 0086ZA)

NHS; Wigan; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A health services provider is seeking a Senior IPS Employment Specialist to manage a team and develop employment opportunities for individuals in recovery from substance misuse. The role requires strong leadership, effective communication with stakeholders, and knowledge of the Individual Placement and Support model. Essential skills include the ability to support clients facing labour-market disadvantages and experience managing a team. This position offers a starting salary of £30,000, with opportunities for progression.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Extra day off for your birthday

Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave

2 days paid volunteer leave annually

Pension scheme auto-enrolment

Access to Blue Light Card for savings

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of helping people facing severe labour-market disadvantage.
• Exceptional ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of the Integrated Support and Placement model.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership and motivation skills.
• Experience managing a team of employment specialists.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Employment Specialists and build relationships with employers.
• Liaise with stakeholders to implement the IPS model.
• Ensure clients receive appropriate care in their return-to-work process.
• Provide job development activities tailored to clients' interests.
• Offer ongoing support to clients and employers.

Skills

Experience helping people facing labour-market disadvantage

Relationship building with clients and stakeholders

Understanding of IPS model

Strong communication skills

Leadership and motivation skills

Experience managing a team

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or related field

Job description

Senior IPS Employment Specialist (Ref: 0086ZA)

All applicants must submit a CV along with a cover letter explaining why they should be considered for this role. Applications will not be accepted without a cover letter. This role may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026

Starting salary: £30,000, rising each year in line with our pay progression salary bands to £36,000 per year.

Main duties of the job

You will manage a team of Employment Specialists, building effective working relationships with local employers, training providers and colleges to secure employment and education opportunities for people in community treatment for substance misuse. You will hold a small caseload of people in drug and alcohol treatment services who wish to return to, or start, paid employment. Clients will be worked with for up to 9 months, plus up to 4 months of in‑work support, as specified in the IPS‑AD trial protocol.

Key duties

• Lead the ongoing development of the Individual Placement and Support model within Wigan.
• Liaise with Public Health England, senior practitioners and managers within the service and the local authority commissioner around the ongoing implementation of the evidence‑based Individual Placement and Support model.
• Ensure that clients receive appropriate care and support from everyone involved in their return‑to‑work process.
• Provide job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualised to the interests and uniqueness of the client, following the evidence‑based principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
• Provide ongoing support according to both the employee's and employer's needs to enable people who have experienced dependency on drugs and/or alcohol to retain employment once secured.

Essential skills and experience

• Demonstrable experience of helping people facing severe labour‑market disadvantage to obtain or keep work.
• Exceptional ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships with both clients and stakeholders.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of the Integrated Support and Placement (IPS) model of supported employment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce formal reports.
• Leadership and motivation skills, including the ability to nurture and encourage teams.
• Experience managing a team of employment specialists or similar staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in social work, psychology, counselling or a related field.
• Professional registration or credential relevant to employment services is desirable.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• An extra day off for your birthday or a special occasion of your choice.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• 2 days paid volunteer leave per year.
• Auto‑enrolment into We Are With You's pension scheme.
• Access to a Blue Light Card with savings on high‑street and online brands.
• Flexible working opportunities and access to a range of wellbeing resources.
• Refer‑a‑Friend scheme offering £500 bonus for successful referrals after 6 months probation.

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

We welcome candidates from under‑represented communities and backgrounds, including people with lived experience, disability, racialised communities, LGBTQ+ people, all ages and armed forces veterans. As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for veterans who meet all essential criteria. We are also a disability‑confident employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with a disability who meet all essential criteria.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required to verify any previous criminal convictions.