Supported Employment Specialist | Connect to Work

IPS Grow; England; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

IPS Grow is seeking a Supported Employment Specialist to deliver IPS and SEQF-based support to people facing barriers to work in Shropshire. You will work to create personalised action plans, liaise with employers, and provide ongoing job-search and in-work assistance.

This fixed-term role requires strong communication, relationship-building with employers, and a commitment to inclusive employment. You will participate in safeguarding, data recording, and multi-disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• Understanding of IPS and SEQF approaches.
• Experience building relationships with employers.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage an active caseload of clients with barriers to employment.
• Provide person-centred vocational support and develop action plans.
• Assist with CVs, applications, and interview preparation.
• Proactively engage employers to identify vacancies and match to clients.
• Develop and maintain employer relationships and engagement database.
• Support workplace adjustments and job carving where appropriate.
• Provide in-work and job-retention support after placement.
• Collaborate with referral and MDT teams and promote employment as an intervention.
• Provide guidance on benefits and welfare considerations.
• Build partnerships with colleges, training providers and services.

Skills

Understanding of IPS/SEQF

Employer relationship building

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Commercial acumen

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Supported Employment Specialist | Connect to Work

Fixed term contract

Could you help someone realise their potential through employment? Join Enable as a Supported Employment Specialist in Shropshire and help create a fairer, more inclusive society.

We have an inclusive culture which makes Enable a brilliant place to work, where our people feel valued and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it helps us be more innovative.

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion and fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process.

Role

The opportunity to change minds. The power to change lives.

Do you understand the importance of work and the vital role it can play in the lives of those with health conditions, disabilities or significant barriers to work?

Do you take pride in what you do, and can you think creatively about how different organisations can work together to deliver a better service?

Are you happy to talk with employers and help support people into meaningful work?

If this sounds like you, then you might be the ideal candidate for one of our Employment Specialist roles.

The role will involve you delivering supported employment to people who are facing barriers to employment, using either an Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage an active caseload of approximately 25 clients, supporting people experiencing barriers to employment to secure and sustain paid work.
• Provide person-centred vocational support, using Vocational Profiles and Action Plans to identify individuals’ strengths, aspirations, employment goals and support needs.
• Support the whole job-search journey, including CVs, applications, interview preparation, tailored job searching and career development.
• Engage proactively with employers to identify both advertised and hidden vacancies and match opportunities to clients’ strengths, needs and preferences.
• Develop and maintain employer relationships, including job analysis, employer education and maintaining the employer engagement database.
• Support employers and clients with workplace adjustments, including reasonable adjustments, workplace strategies and job carving where appropriate.
• Provide ongoing in-work support and job-retention support to both the individual and employer once employment has been secured.
• Work closely with referral and multidisciplinary teams, attending weekly MDT meetings, promoting employment as a positive intervention and encouraging appropriate referrals.
• Assess wider work-related needs, including benefits/welfare considerations and disclosure of health information, providing appropriate advice and guidance.
• Build partnerships with other organisations, including colleges, training providers and other services supporting clients.
• Maintain accurate case records and performance data, following administrative, monitoring and evaluation requirements.
• Promote equality and challenge discrimination, advocating for clients and supporting inclusive employment practice.
• Contribute to service development and continuous improvement, including co-production with clients, case studies, training, publicity and relevant projects.
• Follow safeguarding, information governance, health and safety and other Council policies, completing required mandatory and role-specific training.

The person

• We would like you to have an understanding of Supported Employment and its benefits
• We would like you to have experience of building relationships with employers and helping people into work
• We want you to have great communication skills with strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen
• Proven ability to build rapport with people and especially understanding issues that may be faced by people from disadvantaged groups
• Boundless enthusiasm, excellent teamwork, and the ability to work in a target driven environment