Individual Placement & Support Employment Specialist
Interviews to be held: 6th and 7th May 2026
37.5hrs
For people who need mental health support, getting back intowork is a vital step on their recovery journey. The evidence backs this up, butalthough 90% of people with severe mental illness want to work, only 8% of themare in paid employment. That's why were looking for people to join our IPSEmployment Support Service to work with the community mental health teams, asan Employment Specialist, to champion our mission and help people who needmental health support - your clients - get back into paid work.
This is an incredibly rewarding role - you will have theopportunity to transform the lives of your clients, to give them hope,direction and support their recovery journey. This is also a challenging role,so you will need to be resilient, empathetic, and dedicated to finding clientsa role that's right for them. As a people person, you will build a good rapportwith your clients, gaining a real understanding of their key skills, theiraspirations and their career goals and finding them opportunities to match.
We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with avariety of experience for this role - We'll train you on the IndividualPlacement & Support (IPS) approach, giving you the tools, you need toprovide expert support and advice to clients, while also building positiverelationships with employers, opening doors, and changing perceptions aroundmental health.
Main duties of the job
Inthis role you will work with clients (managing a caseload) who have mentalhealth support needs, who are unemployed, to assist them in securingsustainable paid employment in line with their preferences. You will deliverthe Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach (for which training will begiven), providing person centred advice and guidance to clients, whilstbuilding positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to moveinto suitable employment. This post requires to meet the employment outcomes inline with the individual and teams KPIs and to produce and collect evidencefor the Fidelity Reviews.
Youwill work as part of a community mental health team, maintaining positive andintegrated relationships, fostering a holistic approach to recovery throughemployment. You will demonstrate an excellent motivational, communication andlistening skills. This role requires a positive mindset with the ability tomotivate, engage and inspire to make a positive difference to people's lives.
Please see job description for full details.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.
All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning socialenterprise delivering integrated health and social care services acrossPlymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts ofDevon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sportscentres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, andcollaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, whileempowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, inshaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the righttime and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people leadhealthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, trainingpathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the CareCertificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorshipprograms ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from allsections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mentalhealth, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during theapplication process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job responsibilities
SCOPE AND RANGE
The postholder will provide specialised assessment of individuals works needs and manage the provision and a caseload of people who are referred to IPS and wish to return to, remain in or enter work for the first time.
The postholder will also provide specialised advice, information and support to the individuals employer or learning provider as required. The postholder is responsible for establishing and maintaining links with relevant organisations, employers and individuals to enable people who have mental ill health can access work opportunities.
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
To manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and who wish to retain, return to or regain employment, using evidence based interventions.
The EA work will be led by and focused on the aspirations of the service user. Considering their strengths, difficulties and employment assets to offer the most effective support.
Conduct an assessment, discussing the persons job goals and any concerns regarding their capacity for work. It is important at this point to establish a job goal (they may wish to change roles or find a job), job tasks gathering evidence about the individuals abilities including previous work experience (it could be that a role they did previously may be more suitable). Also important is their confidence to perform tasks and any factors that may be issues for employment and whether the individual has or could develop strategies to address them.
Where appropriate provide help to find the right job and provide advice and support on training and also how to prepare for employer interviews.
Aim to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace. In particular establishing any return-to-work issues, potential behaviour in the workplace, possible work solutions.
Provide the patient with appropriate tools to enable them to ensure that their needs are met within the workplace. Support to either self-advocate or source an appropriate advocate.
Be aware of the impact on an individual who is experiencing mental health issues, including loss of confidence, fear of failure etc.
Be aware that many individuals with mental health conditions may also have primary or secondary health conditions and disabilities. The post holders will have the knowledge to understand the work implications of these conditions.
Provide a service that is flexible as far as possible in terms of service working hours, enabling, where possible, at least one working session to be run outside 9-5 hours.
Be responsible for organising and planning own caseload and managing clinical/non clinical time effectively to fit with service needs and demands.
Prepare, organise and run training for employers, others in learning and work organisations and care staff about learning, work and mental health issues.
Able to communicate clearly and persuasively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to carry out a range of evaluation and monitoring techniques.
Skilled at developing good rapport with patients and enabling them to find their own solutions.
Responsibility for People Management
To be willing to providing information and training to clinical staff on any area of specialist knowledge relating to employment matters
To update existing knowledge by attending relevant training opportunities and CPD arranged by the service.
Keep up to date with the latest updates on employment law, labour market changes and benefits system.
To keep up to date with accurate information on local resources, facilities, training and employment.
To attend regular supervision
Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
To ensure that all Trust equipment and resources are used in line with Trust policies.
Responsibility for administration
Ensure that all necessary documentation completed, including recording notes from each patient contact on clinical record system.
Ensure that annual leave, expenses and other job administration is kept up to date and completed on time.
Basic IT skills including word processing, excel and data base packages.
Responsibility for people who use our services
To manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and who wish to retain, return to or regain employment, using evidence based interventions.
The work will be led by and focus on the aspirations of the service user. Considering their strengths, difficulties and employment assets in order to offer the most effective support.
Conduct an assessment, discussing the persons job goals and any concerns regarding their capacity for work. It is important at this point to establish a job goal (they may wish to change roles or find a job), job tasks gathering evidence about the individuals abilities including previous work experience (it could be that a role they did previously may be more suitable). Also important is their confidence to perform tasks and any factors that may be issues for employment and whether the individual has or could develop strategies to address them.
Where appropriate provide help to find the right job and provide advice and support on training and also how to prepare for employer interviews.
Aim to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace. In particular establishing any return to work issues, potential behaviour in the work place, possible work solutions.
Provide the patient with appropriate tools to enable them to ensure that their needs are met within the workplace. Support to either self-advocate or source an appropriate advocate.
Be aware of the impact on an individual who is experiencing mental health issues, including loss of confidence, fear of failure etc.
Be aware that many individuals with mental health conditions may also have primary or secondary health conditions and disabilities.
Ability to self-reflect, whilst working with patients, in own personal and professional development and in supervision.
Ability to set clear SMART employment goals with patients.
For Full details of this job description, please see the attached document entitled Job Description with Personal Spec.
Person Specification
Additional Requirements
* An enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.
* Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.
Experience
* Experience of providing vocational/employment support as part of a prior role.
* Experience of supporting people with MH conditions into vocational/employment activities.
* Understanding of the employment needs, barriers and difficulties faced by people with MH conditions.
* Experience of working in a service where agreed targets are in place, demonstrating specific outcomes.
* Experience of assessing, planning and facilitating activities that focus on recovery and vocational skills.
* Experience of working with interpreters
* Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team
Knowledge
* The post holder will have a good understanding of return-to-work planning.
* EAs will be aware of the secondary effects on the individual that could be caused by their mental health experience, including loss of employment. The EA will also be aware that many individuals with mental health conditions may also have primary or secondary health conditions and disabilities.
* The EA will have the knowledge to understand the work implications of these conditions, confidence, fear of failure etc.
* Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits.
* The EA must be aware of and guided by the Job Centre Plus Employment, Health Condition and Disability guide notes.
* Awareness of the needs of people with MH conditions. The issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on MH.
* Knowledge of community resources.
* Knowledge of employment law and the Equality Act 2010.
* Knowledge of evidence based interventions to support people remain in, return to & gain work.
Qualifications
* Degree in a relevant area or equivalent, relevant experience in employment advice or mental health
* Evidence of further qualification or professional CPD relating to employment, employment law, and or mental health.
* NVQ Level 4 in Advice & Guidance
* Certificate in Coaching Skills
Specific Skills
* Effective written and oral communication skills.
* Organisational skills.
* Ability to prioritise and plan own caseload.
* Ability to assess individual strengths in relation to employment.
* Ability to adapt activities to be appropriate for the needs of an individual client.
* Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Ability to collect and report data to support service performance and evaluation.
* Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours.
* A caring, responsible and positive approach.
* Reliable, trustworthy and enthusiastic.
* Motivated and innovative.
* Committed to continual quality and service improvement.
* Self-aware and committed to continual professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision.
* Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
* 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.
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.
Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working
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