Employment Specialist 

Job Summary 

The post-holder will provide advice, coaching and support to clients with mental health conditions who wish to pursue paid employment, in line with the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) principles.

The post-holder will be integrated with a multidisciplinary community mental health team, providing the employment support element of the overall care plan. The post-holder will work closely with mental health professionals, employers and other agencies to support the employment goals of their clients.

The post-holder will ensure accurate record keeping in line with IPS fidelity and will promote the service to internal and external stakeholders.

Location: Hammersmith, 

Job Type: Temporary 

Duration of booking: Expected to last 3 months with possible extension

Proposed start date: ASAP

Pay Rates: Up to £19 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay

Hours / Working Days: 37.5 hours per week / Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Sector: Healthcare 

Based: Office / Hospital 

Key Result Areas & Performance

• Be part of a team of employment specialists delivering employment support in accordance with the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) model
• Engage in supervision and ongoing support with other IPS specialists with a view to achieving high fidelity within the IPS service
• Develop and deliver a range of practical services to meet clients’ needs, including career guidance, CV preparation, benefits advice, individual coping techniques or work coaching, and practical assistance in seeking and securing work/learning
• As a member of the IPS team, provide advice to other staff in relation to employment needs of service users, considering options such as referral to the IPS service or signposting to other services
• Build relationships with local employers and maintain up to date information on employment and labour market issues and local services
• Work in partnership with external agencies such as Job Centre Plus, advice centres and training providers to meet client needs and promote the service
• Maintain accurate and up to date records of activity and outcomes in line with organisational and nationally agreed requirements
• Maintain service delivery in line with local and national quality assurance standards
• Effectively manage own caseload of clients; monitoring, reviewing and reporting activity and outcomes in line with organisational and national targets
• Contribute to the development of a service that is locally responsive and supports minority/disadvantaged communities
• Receive regular supervision and training to meet individual, team, organisation and national needs.

Qualifications & Training

• Higher education qualification in a related subject (e.g., career guidance, information advice and guidance, human resources, counseling, training, psychology) or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of recent and ongoing relevant further training and professional development.
• Experience
• Carrying out employment needs assessments with individuals.
• Developing partnerships with other individuals or organizations.
• Managing own workload.
• Recording accurate data in electronic format. (Test)
• Providing information, advice, and guidance.
• Helping others to make their own decisions.
• Working collaboratively within a team.
• Working in a mental health setting.
• Working within the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.
• Working within an employment service.
• Liaising with employers to sustain employment, including identifying reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act.

Knowledge Skills

• Employment and health-related benefits (e.g., ESA, Universal Credit, etc.).
• Basic knowledge of employment law, specifically the Equality Act 2010 and employment rights.
• Professional recruitment knowledge, including effective job search strategies, CV creation, varied application methods, interview techniques, and the local job market (London).
• Basic knowledge of UK education and training courses and qualifications.
• Knowledge and skills in Motivational Interviewing.
• Computer proficiency in MS Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. (Test)
• Strong communication skills, including presenting information, reports, and presentations for users and stakeholders. (Test)
• Building and maintaining effective relationships.
• High accuracy and attention to detail. (Test)
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining concentration. (Test)
• Problem-solving skills with a solution-focused approach.