Job overview
The Employment Advisor Service launched in Greater Manchester in May 2024. This funded pilot provides tailored employment support alongside psychological therapies. The aim is to support people improve their wellbeing through meaningful activity and employment. The pilot runs until March 2026 and is being evaluated for its effectiveness. Subject to the evaluation and future funding, the ambition is for the Service to become a permanent part of the Talking Therapies model. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing and forward-thinking team at a pivotal stage.
We have multiple full and part-time vacancies across Manchester. The Employment Advisor will be part of the Greater Manchester Talking Therapies service, which supports people with common mental health problems by providing psychological therapies. This role will involve providing employment support to service users to help them move closer to, gain, return, or stay in work.
The contract is fixed term until 31st March 2026, with potential for extension subject to funding. Postholders may be required to travel across the GMMH footprint.
Please note - This role is not eligible for sponsorship unless you meet criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024.
Main duties of the job
You will work with people that are unemployed and/or have challenges with their current employment. Encouraging and supporting clients to recognise the importance of productive work and its positive contribution towards their mental health. You will help clients plan their route towards meaningful activity and employment. Your role will be to create support mechanisms, liaising and engaging with Employers, Education and Training services, Employment Support Services and Third Sector Organisations.
You will be joining the Employment Adviser Service at a key stage in its development, with opportunities to help shape the future of the service. As part of growing an innovative team, you will be encouraged to share your ideas and contribute to the ongoing development of an integral employment therapy offer. Your input will help inform how the service evolves, as we build a model that meets the needs of our clients and local communities.
Please read the job description for full details.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the northwest of England and beyond.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
1. Pay Enhancements – 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
2. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
3. Excellent pension
4. Cycle to work scheme
5. Salary sacrifice car scheme
6. Wellbeing programme
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
7. •Equivalent experience gained through work in the field.
8. •Demonstratable experience of supporting individuals to gain or retain employment.
Desirable criteria
9. •Experience of working with people suffering from common mental health problems.
10. •Experience of working in a service where agreed targets and key performance indicators are in place.
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
11. •NVQ level 3 minimum or equivalent.
12. •Evidence of further study in vocational training, careers advice, job retention and presenteeism
Desirable criteria
13. •Evidence of a good customer service background.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
14. •Understanding of common mental health problems and the potential workplace implications of these conditions.
15. •Working knowledge of community resources including employment and disability related benefits.
Desirable criteria
16. •Knowledge of employment law and the Equality Act 2010.
17. •Knowledge of evidence-based interventions to support people with common MH problems remain in, return to & gain work.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
18. •Excellent interpersonal skills.
19. •Ability to prioritise and plan own caseload.
20. •Ability to assess individual strengths in relation to employment and adapt activities to be appropriate for the needs of individuals
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
21. •This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
22. •There is a frequent requirement to travel mainly within the allocated Greater Manchester area to work and an occasional requirement to travel across the wide footprint of the Trust to attend meetings and events relevant to the role.
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.