IPS Employment Specialist
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Job Summary
IPS (Individual Placement and Support) is an evidence-based approach to helping people with mental health conditions find and keep a paid job. Having a job can bring numerous benefits to people. We know having a job can help people with mental health conditions to recover. At present, only around 8% of people receiving support from secondary mental health services are in paid employment, while studies suggest almost 90% of people with serious and enduring mental health conditions want to work. A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for a number of permanent Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialists covering West Park Hospital, Darlington. The IPS worker will be working with people who have a mental illness and support them into competitive employment and then enabling them to retain that employment. As an IPS worker you will be looking for paid employment opportunities for clients who are currently involved with secondary care adult mental health services.
Job Responsibilities
The successful applicants will establish ongoing monitoring and support systems for clients once employment is secured, including reviewing employment gained to ensure it meets both client and employer needs, offering support to employers and clients with any problems that may arise, and promoting disability awareness among employers to ensure a positive integration of our clients into the workforce. The successful candidate will be dynamic and highly motivated, with excellent communication skills to engage effectively with agencies, employers, clients and sometimes families. Innovation, determination and the ability to influence assertively are key to the success of this role. You will apply consistently high standards, have knowledge of relevant legislation and be willing to attend training as required. The successful candidate needs to demonstrate a strong commitment to employment and social inclusion. IPS supervision and clinical support from community mental health team members will be offered on a regular basis with ongoing training and development opportunities relevant to the post. Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
* Numeracy and Literacy level 2 (or above)
* Minimum of level 4 qualification related to IPS practice (e.g., Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education, higher apprenticeship, higher national certificate, level 4 award, level 4 diploma, level 4 NVQ). If level 4 award (or higher) is not a health or social care related subject, the applicant will complete a care certificate during the first 6 months of employment.
* Or a minimum of 2 years of experience in delivering employment support, health/social care support, or providing coaching/advice and guidance.
Desirable Qualifications
* Evidence of additional qualifications relevant to the role
Essential Skills
* Ability to work collaboratively with members of the multidisciplinary team to provide an effective service.
* Ability to deliver employment support interventions competently.
* Ability to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation.
* Adherence to Trust record keeping standards.
* Ability to adapt intervention using own initiative within own scope of practice.
* Ability to plan and organise a given caseload and prioritise effectively.
* Fully compliant with statutory and mandatory training.
* Completed 'Doing What Works' IPS.
* Ability to lead a group session, training or equivalent.
* Ability to use employment related software packages/platforms.
* Demonstrate IPS and service specific competencies.
Desirable Skills
* Ability to lead a group session.
* Ability to negotiate with employers on behalf of service users.
* Ability to be flexible, open and creative in problem solving.
* Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Employment Details
Date posted: 19 November 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 346-DDA-080-25-D
Job locations: West Park Hospital, Darlington, DL2 2TS
Employer Details
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
West Park Hospital
Darlington, DL2 2TS
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and, as such, it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
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