Individual Placement and Support - Team

Location: Colchester
Role: IPS Employment Specialist / Employment Support Worker
Hours: Full-time
Contract: Agency assignment
Driving: Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle required

We are currently recruiting for an IPS Employment Specialist to join an established employment team within a service in Colchester
. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting people with complex needs into sustainable employment and enjoys building strong relationships with both candidates and employers.

• Support individuals to identify their employment goals, overcome barriers and move towards sustainable work.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers to identify suitable employment opportunities.
• Develop positive relationships with service users, colleagues, external partners and employers at all levels.
• Work towards employment-related targets and outcomes within a busy, target-driven environment.
• Communicate confidently with employers and other stakeholders, including senior-level contacts.
• Use negotiation and commercial skills to create opportunities and achieve positive employment outcomes.
• Support people affected by substance misuse, mental health challenges or other complex needs
  , taking a person-centred approach to employment support.
• Maintain accurate records, complete relevant documentation and ensure excellent organisational standards.
• Travel within the local area to meet service users and employers as required.

• Some knowledge or experience of Individual Placement and Support (IPS).
• Experience supporting people into employment, training or meaningful work
  .
• Experience engaging with and building relationships with employers
  .
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage with everyone from frontline staff through to senior/CEO-level stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation skills and commercial awareness
  .
• Experience supporting people affected by substance misuse, mental health or similar complex needs
  .
• A proven ability to build rapport and establish trusting relationships.
• Excellent written, verbal and organisational skills.
• A positive, enthusiastic and proactive approach.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team while also managing your own caseload and targets.
• Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

Opportunity to work within an established IPS/employment team. Make a genuine difference by helping people overcome barriers and move into sustainable employment. Gain valuable experience working closely with employers and individuals with complex needs. Work in a role where relationship-building, creativity and commercial thinking are genuinely valued. If you have experience within IPS, employment support, substance misuse, mental health, homelessness or a related sector, we'd love to hear from you!