IPS Employment Specialist | Connect

Permanent contract

Are you passionate about helping people achieve their goals and find meaningful work? As an Employment Specialist, you’ll support individuals with health-related needs to secure sustainable, fulfilling employment that matches their skills and aspirations.

Deadline: 6th March 2026

• East Midlands
• Full-time

For more than three decades, Standguide has been dedicated to supporting individuals and employers across the UK. As a nationwide market leader, they have helped over 13,000 people in the past year alone to retrain, begin new career paths, or start their own businesses.

• CPD – Broad range of internal training to enhance your knowledge and skills
• Generous pension scheme, with the option to opt out
• Company health plan subject to successful completion of probation period
• 25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays
• 5-10 sick day per year paid.

Join us at Standguide and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on individuals’ lives and businesses nationwide.

• Role: IPS Employment Specialist
• Salary: £31,048 – £33,487 per annum, based on qualifications and experience
• Contract type:
  Permanent
• Working hours:
  
  Full Time (37.5 hrs pw)
• Location:
  
  Mansfield – must have a car to travel between locations

You’ll be trained in the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach — a proven model focused on person-centred guidance and practical, empowering support. Working closely with clients, employers, and referral partners, you’ll build strong relationships that open doors to new opportunities.

• Manage a caseload of up to 25 clients who have health support needs who are motivated to start/return to work
• Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach for which training will be given
• Meet and support clients to understand their key skills, aspirations, and goals through completing a Vocational Profile and produce an Action Plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment. This includes support with their job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques and career development
• Attend regular multidisciplinary team meetings with key partners as an embedded IPS practitioner
• Source job opportunities for clients through tailored job search and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden as well as advertised employment opportunities
• Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy and on-going contact with the employer to ensure job retention.

• Educated to a degree level or equivalent experience
• Desirable – trained in IPS approach
• An understanding of the employment needs, and challenges faced by people who experience health difficulties
• Experience/understanding of working with people with health support needs, or a similar client group within health, social services, or the voluntary sector
• Natural ability to build close, trusting, and productive relationships with people
• Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote a service
• Full UK Driving License as this role requires travel.
• Overseas equivalent qualifications will be accepted.
• We welcome applicants with lived experience and encourage applications that reflect the relevance to the post.