Employment Coach, Social Work

About the Role

As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will support people with mental health needs and other barriers to employment to achieve their goals and secure sustainable, meaningful work.

You will work closely with individuals to understand their strengths, interests and aspirations, providing tailored support throughout their employment journey. The role combines coaching, employer engagement and partnership working to help clients move into and remain in employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with clients and provide person-centred support.
• Help clients identify their employment goals, skills and career aspirations.
• Support individuals with CV writing, job searching and interview preparation.
• Develop tailored action plans to help clients overcome barriers to work.
• Work closely with mental health teams and other support services to provide joined-up support.
• Engage with local employers to identify suitable job opportunities.
• Match clients to vacancies that align with their interests and abilities.
• Provide in-work support to both clients and employers to help sustain employment.
• Maintain accurate records and manage a caseload effectively.
• Monitor progress and celebrate client achievements and outcomes.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about helping people improve their lives through employment.
• Has experience supporting individuals facing barriers to work, particularly those with mental health needs.
• Can build strong relationships with clients, employers and partner organisations.
• Has excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Is proactive, resilient and able to work independently.
• Understands the principles of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) or is willing to learn.

Ideal Background

Experience in any of the following areas would be beneficial:

• Employment Advice or Job Coaching
• Supported Employment
• Mental Health Support
• Social Care or Community Services
• Careers Guidance
• Welfare-to-Work Programmes
• Employer Engagement or Recruitment

Why This Role Matters

Employment can be life-changing. As an IPS Employment Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference by helping people gain confidence, achieve independence and build a brighter future through meaningful work.