Employment Specialist

Location:

New Vision Bradford, Pelican House, Bradford

Working Arrangement:
Community-based role, with office and community working across Bradford

Working Hours:

37 hours per week

Contract Type:
Permanent

Salary: £25,877.80–£34,240.03 per annum

Please note:

The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

We are looking for an Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialist to join our team at New Vision Bradford, supporting people who are recovering from drug or alcohol use to find and sustain meaningful paid employment. Employment can play an important part in someone’s recovery, providing greater independence, confidence, purpose and financial stability.

This is primarily a community-based role, so you’ll need to be comfortable working independently and travelling across Bradford to meet the people you support, employers and partner organisations.

As an IPS Employment Specialist, you'll manage an active caseload of around 20–25 people who are recovering from drug or alcohol use and are motivated to start or return to work. Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach, for which full training will be provided, you'll offer person-centred employment support tailored to each individual's circumstances, preferences and ambitions. You'll work with people to identify their skills and employment goals, develop vocational profiles and action plans, and provide practical support with job searching, CVs, applications, interview preparation and career development.

A key part of your role will also be building strong relationships with employers across Bradford. You'll proactively identify both advertised and hidden employment opportunities and work with employers to understand their recruitment needs and create opportunities for the people you support. Your support won't stop when someone gets a job. You'll continue working with individuals and employers to help people settle into employment, overcome any barriers and sustain their role for the longer term.

• Manage a caseload of approximately 20–25 people who are motivated to start or return to paid employment.
• Deliver high-quality employment support in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and Fidelity Scale.
• Work with individuals to understand their skills, strengths, aspirations and employment preferences through vocational profiling and action planning.
• Provide practical support with job searching, CV writing, applications, interview preparation and career development.
• Build strong relationships with local employers and proactively identify suitable advertised and hidden job opportunities.
• Maintain regular and meaningful employer engagement to understand recruitment needs and create opportunities for the people you support.
• Work collaboratively with drug and alcohol recovery colleagues, health professionals and community…