IPS Employment Specialist – North Yorkshire Horizons
Location: Harrogate, (With visits to Northallerton when required)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Contract Type: Perm
Salary: £25,877.80 - £32,090 per annum
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier and more independent lives?
We are currently looking for an Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist to join our team on a full-time basis, for Harrogate / Northallerton. Either area can be your base.
The IPS team aims to increase the number of people moving into employment from the specialist drug and alcohol services. Employment specialist roles will be co-located within these teams working closely alongside recovery service staff to support a small caseload of service users into employment opportunities.
This is a very interesting, varied and rewarding role. A driving licence would be beneficial but not essential, but the successful candidate would be working across Scarborough and surrounding areas according to the requirements of the role. IT equipment and a mobile phone would be provided and be carried on their person to the different locations.
About the Role
An Employment Specialist offers a bespoke employment service to the individual accessing recovery at North Yorkshire Horizons which includes, career coaching, CV writing, interview techniques, making links with local and national employers, attending job fairs, working across different sites and some community working. To help and support the individual to quickly gain employment as part of their recovery journey.
What You’ll Do
1. To build partnerships with employers to identify a sustained pipeline of job opportunities and to understand local employer needs in order to bring on board new employment opportunities for people on our programmes.
2. You will work with clients (managing a caseload of maximum 25) who have substance use support needs, assist them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences.
3. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach (for which training will be given); providing person centred advice and guidance to clients, whilst building positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into suitable employment.
4. You will work as part of a Substance use treatment team North Yorkshire Horizons, maintaining positive and integrated relationships, fostering a holistic approach to recovery through employment.
5. Actively promote our clients as potential employees and raise awareness of the service.
To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:
An employment Specialist needs to be:
6. Positive attitude
7. Flexible
8. Empathetic
9. Proactive
10. Be enthusiastic towards challenges and be able to motivate others
11. Any knowledge of drugs, alcohol, working with ex-offenders, the benefits system or disadvantaged people would be an advantage.
12. Experience of managing a caseload.
13. Excellent communication, both written and verbally.
14. A passion for making a difference to peoples’ lives.
15. A valid driving licence and have access to your own vehicle, is not essential for this role but it is preferred due to required travel across Scarborough.
To view the full job description and person specification, please
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About Waythrough
Formed in 2024 through the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship, Waythrough is now one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.
With 3,500 staff and volunteers across more than 200 services, we help people to live full, meaningful lives.
Some roles may still appear under our legacy brands (Humankind, Richmond Fellowship, Aquarius) while we complete our integration — but wherever you join us, you’ll be part of one supportive team, sharing one purpose.
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
16. 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
17. Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
18. Life assurance (3× annual salary)
19. Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
20. Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
21. Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
22. 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
23. Recognition and long service awards via our and portals
24. £500 bonus
25. Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
26. Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
27. 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.
If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email .
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:
28. 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
29. Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
30. Life assurance (3× annual salary)
31. Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
32. Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
33. Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
34. 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
35. Recognition and long service awards via our and portals
36. £500 bonus
37. Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
38. Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
39. 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:
2026-06-16