Talking Therapies Employment advisors

NHS; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in Sheffield seeks an Employment Advisor to support individuals with common mental health problems in gaining and retaining employment. The role involves managing client cases, collaborating with external support services, and conducting employment assessments. Candidates should have experience in providing employment-related support, particularly for individuals with mental health conditions. This is a permanent position offering full-time and part-time options.

Benefits

Access to training and education opportunities

Flexibility in working patterns

Qualifications

• Experience providing support to jobseekers with health conditions/disabilities.
• Experience working with individuals facing common mental health conditions.
• Understanding of the Equality Act 2010 in employment.

Responsibilities

• Develop working relationships with agencies supporting employment goals.
• Maintain professional relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Conduct assessments and develop employment action plans.

Skills

Providing employment-related support

Working with individuals with mental health conditions

Partnership working

Understanding of unemployment issues

Knowledge of benefits processes

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Information Advice and Guidance

Partnership working and service coordination

Qualifications in employment-related activity or coaching

Tools

IT systems for case recording

Job description

Job Summary

This role is part of an employment advice service, working closely with people with common mental health problems and their clinicians. Managing a case load of clients in line with national employment advisor guidance for talking therapies services. The post holders will support clients to gain, return to or retain employment. The role will involve signposting clients to relevant local and national services to support their employment goals. This may include organisations offering support with finances, benefit assessments, employment rights (e.g. ACAS), housing, and access to community support groups. Support clients to build sustainable support networks that promote long-term success beyond their time in the service. The post holder will provide interventions within the employment support team. This includes one to one sessions [face to face / telephone / video call] and/or develop a group programme with clients for job retention/return to work/ gaining and keeping sustainable employment. Collaboratively working with the talking therapies service EAs will be aware of the impact on an individual who is experiencing mental health issues, including loss of confidence, fear of failure etc. The EA will also be aware that many individuals with mental health conditions may also have primary or secondary health conditions and disabilities. The EA will have the knowledge to understand the work implications of these conditions.

Main duties of the job

• Develop effective working relationships with a range of external agencies who might support individuals\' employment goals, e.g. local colleges, training providers, trade unions and external support services
• Maintain a professional relationship with clients and with key internal and external stakeholders, with particular attention to confidentiality and appropriate boundaries
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Jobcentre Plus provision, benefits, and national/local employment and social support options

About Us

We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we\'re looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us. What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it\'s all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share. It\'s important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of. If you\'re interested in developing your career, you\'ll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research. We are all very proud of the difference we make to people\'s lives every day and if that\'s something that you\'d like to be part of we\'d love to have you with us.

Note on Sponsorship: Sheffield Health & Social Care Foundation Trust is currently unable to provide sponsorship for this role. This is in accordance with UKVI guidelines and legislation, as these roles do not meet the skill nor salary threshold for sponsorship. If you hold a visa which allows you to work in the UK, you are welcome to apply for this role however it is important to note that SHSC will be unable to offer sponsorship after your visa expires. You must also have at least 12 months on your visa at the start of your employment for training and operational reasons.

Details

Date posted: 17 October 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 4

Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year PA

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time

Reference number: 457-25-7543368

Job locations: Citywide, Wainwright Crescent, Sheffield, S13 8EN

Job Responsibilities

• Develop effective working relationships with external agencies to support individuals\' employment goals
• Maintain a professional relationship with clients and stakeholders, with confidentiality and boundaries
• Maintain knowledge of Jobcentre Plus, benefits, and local/national employment options
• Adhere to administrative and data capture protocols, record client progress accurately
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation systems are followed; participate in mandatory training and CPD
• Implement relevant policies (information governance, safeguarding, etc.) and escalate concerns per risk policy
• Conduct employment assessments and develop personalised, realistic employment action plans aligned with therapy goals
• Provide information, advice, and guidance on employment rights, reasonable adjustments, workplace wellbeing, and returning to work
• Maintain records of employment outcomes and set SMART action plans with clients
• Offer early and late appointments and occasional Saturday work if required

Communication And Relationship Skills

• Provide and receive complex information about a client\'s employment situation; adapt messages as conditions change
• Use negotiation, empathy and motivational skills; maintain consent and professionalism
• Collaborate with colleagues and signpost to community services
• Empower clients with tools to meet workplace needs; support self-advocacy or advocacy
• Regularly collect feedback; use IT systems confidently; adapt communication to overcome barriers, including interpreters when required

Analytical And Judgemental Skills

• Work independently; use initiative in varied situations
• Assess and judge information; apply creative problem solving to meet service requirements

Planning And Organisational Responsibilities

• Contribute to complex service improvements or employment-related projects
• Manage own time; prioritise casework with supervision
• Facilitate SMART action plans with clients

Physical Skills

• Competent keyboard skills and note taking
• Ability to multitask while taking calls and data entry
• Travel between bases as required

Other

Employment in this post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Post holders may be required to undertake a DBS disclosure during employment.

Essential Experience And Qualifications

• Evidence of providing employment-related support to jobseekers and individuals with a health condition or disability
• Experience working with individuals with common mental health conditions
• Partnership working and service coordination experience
• Understanding of unemployment, mental health and related social issues
• Knowledge of benefits and processes (ESA, UC, PIP)
• Understanding of the Equality Act 2010 in employment
• Knowledge of reasonable adjustments and workplace wellbeing
• Experience using IT systems for case recording and communication
• Ability to work independently in the community and remotely

Desirable

• Qualifications in employment-related activity or coaching
• Information Advice and Guidance NVQ Level 3
• Willingness to undertake mandatory role-specific training

Disclosure and Sponsorship

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and may require DBS disclosure. Applications from job seekers requiring skilled worker sponsorship will be considered. See UKVI guidance for details.