IPS; Individual Placement & Support) Specialist

Location - Durham Areas

Contract Type
:
Full-time Permanent

Salary
: £30,000

Working Hours
: 35

DBS check is required for this role.

About the role:

The IPS Employment Specialist plays a pivotal role in supporting individuals with health conditions (including mental health), disabilities and complex barriers to employment to gain and sustain meaningful paid employment. The role is based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, which is an evidence-based approach to vocational rehabilitation.

The role is deeply impactful, helping individuals overcome barriers to employment and promoting social inclusion, contributing to a fairer society by challenging stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

You will build and manage a caseload of up to 25 people at any one time and engage with local employers to match participants with suitable roles that are both sustainable and rewarding.

Your work location(s) will mainly be based in and around the communities we support and will be caseload-dependent. You will be expected to manage your time and diary effectively to maximise face-to-face time with each participant.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills (empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence) and ability to build rapport with a range of people
• Driver with access to a vehicle with business car insurance.
• Proven experience of supporting people to overcome barriers to obtain or keep work
• An understanding of the principles and practices of supported employment
• Proven track record of building collaborative relationships with employers
• High level of optimism, initiative, and effective interpersonal skills in order to engage effectively with participants, clinical teams and employers
• Proven experience of delivering one-to-one support and facilitating small group
• Demonstrated experience working within a structured delivery model, with the ability to creatively adapt the approach through innovative activities and thinking, ensuring the service remains inclusive, engaging, and beneficial to all participants, regardless of their individual barriers to employment
• Proven experience of meeting and exceeding progression targets.
• Proven experience in the use of assessment tools such as vocational profiling to identify support needs and inform practical job goal actions.
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, non-verbal, listening) with the ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to evaluate individual progress toward their goals, adjusting support strategies as needed. Evidence of attributes such as challenge and resilience, flexibility and adaptability, honesty and integrity, impactful communication, planning and decision-making, and promoting services.
• Ability to positively challenge others.
• Accomplished networking skills with the ability to build professional relationships effectively.
• Organisational and time management skills.
• Experience of working in a performance- and quality-driven environment.
• Able to work in a complex environment and demonstrate a high level of perseverance.

More details about the role:

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with participants, referral sources and employers
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including those with mental health conditions
• Tailor communication styles to different audiences

• Provide a tailored 1:2:1 service based on participant needs and goals, whilst adhering to IPS principles
• Identify and understand participants' strengths, aspirations, and barriers
• Support participants to identify suitable job roles and prepare for employment
• Provide ongoing support once in work, including job retention strategies
• Apply new knowledge and techniques to improve delivery effectiveness

• Proactively engage with employers, matching their needs with participant needs, skills and strengths
• Educate employers on reasonable adjustments and inclusive practices
• Negotiate job opportunities that align with participant skills
• Build long-lasting relationships with employers, maximising engagement opportunities to support sustainment in employment through effective in-work support
• Work closely with mental health teams, including clinicians and therapists
• Share insights and collaborate on care plans
• Understand how employment fits into recovery pathways
• Build positive relationships with potential referral sources

• Think on your feet and adapt to…