Senior IPS Employment Specialist

Senior IPS Employment Specialist – Blackpool

Starting salary £36,363 with a scale up to £39,152 (25 days holiday, bank holidays, local government pension scheme). Full‑time, permanent.

We are seeking an experienced Senior IPS Employment Specialist to support the delivery of a high‑quality employment service, working with individuals with mental health support needs to help them secure sustainable employment.

This is a key role combining team leadership with direct client support, where you will manage and develop a team of Employment Specialists while maintaining your own caseload. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, working closely with community mental health teams to provide person‑centred, recovery‑focused support and build strong employer partnerships.

• Managing and supervising a team of Employment Specialists, providing guidance, coaching and performance management
• Delivering the IPS model in line with best practice and fidelity standards
• Managing a personal caseload, supporting individuals into paid employment aligned to their preferences
• Conducting face‑to‑face appointments and delivering tailored diagnostics and action planning
• Building and maintaining employer relationships to generate job opportunities, including accessing the hidden labour market
• Coordinating team activity across employer engagement and job search support
• Producing monitoring reports and tracking performance against targets
• Identifying training needs and supporting continuous professional development within the team
• Supporting service development, including co‑production with service users
• Working collaboratively with community mental health teams and external stakeholders
• Ensuring compliance with safeguarding, health & safety, and data protection requirements
• Promoting and profiling the service, including sharing outcomes and success stories

• Experience working within employment services, supporting individuals with mental health needs or similar barriers
• Experience in a supervisory, management or mentoring capacity
• Strong understanding of supported employment and the IPS model
• Experience managing a caseload and achieving performance targets
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop a team to achieve outcomes
• Experience engaging with employers and sourcing job opportunities
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship‑building skills
• Knowledge of employment legislation, benefits systems and disability‑related employment issues
• Ability to work independently and use initiative to improve service delivery
• Commitment to person‑centred, recovery‑focused approaches
• NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance (or equivalent experience)

Due to the nature of this role, you will be a vehicle driver with access to your own vehicle and will be required to complete an online Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if successful in this role.