Employment Specialist
Location: Cookson House, South Shields, NE33 1TL
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80-£34,240
About the Role
As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will work as part of a small team in our South Tyneside Recovery Service and will play a key role in supporting individuals to identify, secure, and sustain meaningful employment opportunities. Working within the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, you will focus on empowering clients to achieve their vocational goals while promoting recovery, independence, and long-term wellbeing.
A core part of the role involves actively promoting our clients as capable and valuable employees within the local labour market. You will build strong relationships with employers, raising awareness of the IPS service. By championing the strengths, skills, and potential of our clients, you will encourage employers to view them positively as candidates and provide opportunities that align with their aspirations.
What You’ll Do
1. Create employment opportunities for our clients through proactive engagement with a network of potential employers.
2. Provide appropriate in-work support to clients who have secured employment.
3. Facilitate work placements, work trials and work experience with relevant employers
To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:
4. Ability in supporting clients to achieve their programme of learning and obtain employment and of meeting job outcome performance targets
5. Experience of using management information systems and maintaining accurate records.
6. Experience of working with a range of employers to satisfy their recruitment needs
7. Would be advantageous if applicants held a driving licence and access to own car
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.
Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
8. 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
9. Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
10. Life assurance (3× annual salary)
11. Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
12. Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
13. Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
14. 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
15. Recognition and long service awards via our and portals
16. £500 bonus
17. Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
18. Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
19. Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.
We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.
If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team:
Closing Date:
2026-06-19