Employability Team Leader

Job Role:

IPS Team Leader (Connect to Work Programme)

Location:

Barnet, North West London (Community-Based / Outreach) Salary: £40,505 - £49,527 per annum

Contract:

Permanent, full-time

Role Overview We are recruiting an experienced and motivated IPS Team Leader to lead a team of Employment Specialists delivering the Connect to Work programme across Barnet. As the IPS Team Leader, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership, performance, and development of Employment Specialists supporting people with disabilities, health conditions, and learning difficulties into sustainable employment. You will ensure delivery aligns with the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) and Supported Employment model, maintaining high standards of quality, fidelity, and participant outcomes.

This is a predominantly community-based role, with home as a base and regular travel across the local area required to drive a person-centred, integrated employment service.

Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Performance Management
· Staff Guidance:
Lead, coach, and develop a team of Employment Specialists to achieve their full potential.
· Supervision Framework:
Provide regular supervision, clinical mentoring, and performance management.
· Target Achievement:
Monitor individual and team performance against agreed KPIs and service targets.
· Performance Improvement:
Address underperformance promptly through constructive coaching and development plans.
· Team Culture:
Promote a positive, supportive, and high-performing team culture. Service Delivery & Quality Assurance
· Fidelity Alignment:
Ensure delivery fully aligns with IPS fidelity standards and contractual requirements.
· Customer Excellence:
Maintain high standards of customer service, compliance, and participant engagement.
· Pipeline Monitoring:
Monitor referrals, engagement activity, employment outcomes, and sustainment performance.
· Continuous Improvement:
Lead quality reviews, case discussions, and best practice sharing activities to drive continuous improvement. Stakeholder & Partnership Working
· Network Integration:
Develop and maintain effective relationships with Jobcentre Plus, Local Authority services, health and wellbeing providers, and community/voluntary organisations.
· B2B Engagement:
Build robust connections with local employers and employer networks to unlock the hidden labour market.
· Programme Representation:
Represent the Connect to Work programme at regional meetings, forums, and partnership events. Operational & Contract Management
· Contract Objectives:
Support the Service Manager in achieving contract objectives and performance improvement plans.
· Data Integrity:
Ensure accurate recording of activity, outcomes, and performance data on case management systems.
· Risk & Safeguarding:
Ensure safeguarding and risk management procedures are consistently applied across your team.

Essential Criteria
· Leadership Track Record:
Experience leading or supervising teams within IPS, Supported Employment, Employability, Welfare-to-work, or Health and wellbeing services.
· Model Expertise:
Strong understanding of the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) model and/or Supported Employment approaches.
· Outcome Driven:
Proven experience managing performance and driving outcomes against performance KPIs.
· Staff Development:
Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing frontline staff.
· Communication:
Excellent stakeholder engagement, partnership-building, and problem-solving abilities.
· Analytical

Skills:

Ability to analyse performance data and implement operational improvement plans. Desirable Criteria
· Contract Knowledge:
Experience delivering or managing Connect to Work, IPS, Work and Health Programme, or similar contracts.
· Specialist Insight:
Knowledge of disability employment, health-related support, and vocational rehabilitation.
· Sector

Qualification:

A relevant professional qualification in Employment Services, Management, Health, Social Care, or a related field. Benefits & Package
· Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing with service up to 28 days, plus the option to purchase additional leave.
· Volunteer…