IPS Employment Specialist

Position: IPS Employment Specialist and surrounding areas
SUBJECT TO CONTRACT AWARD****************************************
* At Shaw Trust we believe everyone has the right to live a decent and dignified life and an opportunity for rewarding work. We are a social purpose organisation challenging inequality and breaking down barriers to enable social mobility.

For us being part of the solution is about creating the conditions for this to happen, advocating and delivering services that make a real difference. Working in partnership not competition, we are part of an eco-system of purpose-led organisations, striving for a fairer, more equal society centred on opportunity for all.

Are you passionate about helping people with mental and /or physical health support needs find meaningful, sustainable employment? Do you want to be part of a service that transforms lives through work, inclusion, and wellbeing?

We're looking for enthusiastic and driven IPS Employment Specialists to join our team - subject to the successful award of new contract in Leeds and across West Yorkshire.

About the Role

As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will support individuals seeking work and the employers who need their talents. You'll manage a caseload of clients, providing tailored, one-to-one support to help them find, and keep, jobs that align with their individual goals and aspirations.

You'll work closely with:
Clients, to understand their strengths and ambitions
Health professionals and service providers, to ensure holistic support
Employers, to build inclusive workplaces and create job opportunities This is a performance-focused role, with clear targets around referrals, job starts, and sustained employment. But more than that, it's about changing lives.

We welcome applicants from local residents in the areas of delivery.

Areas of Delivery  
Leeds and surrounding areas This is a community-based role. You'll work peripatetically across your chosen area(s), supporting clients where they are.

Recruitment Timeline

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre on:

14th or 15th October - Leeds

20th or 21st October - Huddersfield

Should we be successful in winning this contract, IPS Employment Specialists will start induction on Monday 30th November 2026.

What You'll Do
Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model (full training provided)
Provide person-centred advice and vocational guidance
Build strong relationships with local employers to identify suitable roles
Support clients through every step: from referral and job search to placement and in-work support
Champion social inclusion and wellbeing through employment What You'll Bring  
A genuine passion for helping others achieve their potential
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
A proactive, solution-focused mindset
Experience working with people with health needs
Knowledge of employment services or recruitment (a plus, but not essential) Download the job description for more details.

Please note that all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced adult & Child DBS check, employment references, and verification of the right to work in the UK.

Why Join Us

At Shaw Trust, you'll do meaningful work that changes lives - and you'll be well supported while doing it. Here's what you can expect:
25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 28 with service - plus the option to buy more
2 paid volunteering days each year
Enhanced pension after 6 months
Life assurance at 3x your salary
Funded qualifications including apprenticeships
Inclusive colleague networks (LGBTQ+, Disability, Neurodiversity, Women's, Menopause, and more)
Health & wellbeing support, including EAP and a health cash plan A Place Where You Belong

We're proud to be a National Equality Standard employer, a Disability Confident Leader, and Menopause Friendly accredited. We actively welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience of disability or social exclusion.

Need adjustments or more info? Contact us at  (url removed) .

We may close this vacancy early if we receive enough applications