IPS Employment Specialist

Help people move into real, paid employment

Work can provide far more than an income. It can bring confidence, independence, routine and a renewed sense of possibility.

As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will support people experiencing mental ill health to find and sustain paid employment that reflects their individual strengths, interests and goals.

You will use the nationally recognised Individual Placement and Support model, working closely with health and wellbeing services, local employers and community partners.

This is a frontline role where you can see the impact of your work, from a first conversation about someones aspirations through to their first day in a new job and the support that helps them remain there.

The real job

IPS starts from the belief that people should not have to complete lengthy programmes or prove they are job ready before beginning their search for work.

When someone wants to work, you help them move towards that goal quickly and ethically.

You will:

• Build trust and understand each persons skills, experience and employment preferences.
• Create an individual vocational profile and employment plan.
• Begin a rapid job search based on the persons goals.
• Identify and approach suitable local employers.
• Match people with open, paid employment.
• Support applications, interviews and workplace preparation.
• Help individuals make informed decisions about disclosing health information.
• Work with employers to explore reasonable adjustments.
• Provide personalised in-work support after someone starts employment.
• Work alongside health, clinical and wellbeing teams.
• Track job starts, sustainment and progression.
• Maintain accurate records that meet IPS fidelity and contractual standards.

The focus is not simply finding any available job. It is finding the right opportunity, at the right time, with the right support around it.

A mobile community role

This is not a desk-based or home-based position.

You will travel throughout your assigned London area to meet participants, employers and partner services.

Meetings may take place in NHS or health settings, community venues, employer premises or workplaces.

You must be comfortable planning your diary independently and travelling daily using public or other reliable transport.

A day in the role

You may start at a health or wellbeing service, joining a discussion with clinical colleagues about referrals, wellbeing and the employment goals of people receiving support.

Your first appointment could be with someone who has been out of work because of anxiety or depression. Rather than beginning with a generic course, you explore what they want to do, their previous experience and the type of workplace in which they could thrive.

Later, you might:

• Contact employers about suitable vacancies.
• Make proactive approaches to businesses that do not yet know Get Set UK.
• Support someone to complete an application.
• Prepare a participant for an interview.
• Speak with an employer about reasonable adjustments.
• Visit someone who has recently started work.
• Help resolve an emerging workplace concern.
• Meet a community or health partner.
• Update vocational profiles, case records and outcome evidence.

Some days will move quickly. On others, someones health may fluctuate, an employer may say no or an agreed plan may need to change. You will remain consistent, maintain contact and keep the employment goal moving forward.

Employer engagement

Developing relationships with employers is a central part of IPS.

You will not rely only on advertised vacancies. You will approach local employers, learn about their recruitment needs and introduce suitable candidates based on individual preferences.

You will need to be comfortable:

• Initiating conversations with employers.
• Making cold calls and visiting local businesses.
• Explaining the value of inclusive recruitment.
• Promoting an individuals strengths without compromising confidentiality.
• Handling objections and rejection professionally.
• Building relationships that create future opportunities.
• Supporting employers after a job start.

This is relationship-led work, but it is also proactive and outcome-focused.

The parts people can underestimate

You will need to be comfortable with:

• Supporting people whose mental health and confidence may fluctuate.
• Starting job search quickly rather than waiting for every barrier to disappear.
• Balancing individual choice with honest guidance about the labour market.
• Managing sensitive conversations about health, disclosure and workplace support.
• Working closely with clinical teams while remaining clear about your non-clinical role.
• Responding appropriately to safeguarding, risk or wellbeing concerns.
• Travelling across London throughout the working week.
• Managing a busy caseload and working independently in the community.
• Approaching employers and hearing no.
• Working towards job-start and sustainment targets.
• Maintaining detailed, accurate and fidelity-compliant records.

This role will suit someone who combines empathy with action. You must be able to build trust without…