Overview
Would you like an opportunity to help people who have mental health needs find work and help sustain employment? We are seeking an empathetic and driven Employment Specialist to join our team in Ipswich, Suffolk on a permanent contract. Our service has IPS status as a National Centre of Excellence (Centre for Mental Health). You will help people with mental health needs realise and achieve their paid employment goals, including support with job searching, applications, interview skills and providing support after they have found work, as well as supporting those already in work with sustaining their employment when mental health is a contributing factor. You will build strong and lasting relationships with local employers, championing IPS and the individuals you support.
Responsibilities
* Help people with mental health needs realise and achieve their paid employment goals, including job searching, applications, interview skills and post-employment support.
* Support those already in work to sustain employment where mental health is a contributing factor.
* Build strong, lasting relationships with local employers and champion IPS and the individuals supported.
* Engage directly with a range of stakeholders (e.g., DWP, Job Centre Plus, employment law firms, voluntary organisations) and, in particular, local employers, to create opportunities and challenge stigma and discrimination related to mental health and employment.
* Work with people and stakeholders in their local community.
* Work within multi-disciplinary Mental Health Teams alongside clinical colleagues and champion the employment agenda to generate referrals to the service.
* Develop empowering, enabling relationships with individual service users and partners.
* Provide an evidence-based supported employment service (Individual Placement and Support/IPS) by assessing needs, identifying strengths, assisting with benefits, support networks, travel-to-work plans, and related needs.
Profile and requirements
* Strong communication skills and confidence to build relationships with employers and other stakeholders (including DWP, Job Centre Plus, and voluntary organisations).
* Ability to engage with a range of stakeholders in the local community and to challenge stigma around mental health and employment.
* Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and champion the employment agenda.
* Demonstrated commitment to evidence-based supported employment approaches and autonomy in managing your own time.
* Possession of a collaborative approach to working with service users, developing enabling and empowering relationships.
* Ability to work to individual targets and be responsible to the Team Leader with regular supervision and support, and to the Service Manager.
Location and contract
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk. Contract: Permanent.
Benefits
* 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
* Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of pensionable pay.
* Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
* £8,000 relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
* Season ticket loans (interest-free) for commuting costs via tram, rail, or bus.
* Flexible working available from day one for most roles.
* Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Work pattern and supervision
* You will work to individual targets (e.g., the number of people supported into employment).
* You will manage your own time with a high level of autonomy.
* You will be accountable to the Service Manager and receive supervision and support from the Team Leader.
Note
Please note this advert may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received.
This advert closes on Sunday 22 Mar 2026
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