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Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist – Forward Leeds
Location: Travel across all three Forward Leeds Hubs will be required when needed.
Working Hours: 37 hours, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Contract Type: Fixed Term until 31st March 2026
Salary: £25,110 - £32,090 per annum
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier and more independent lives?
Join Waythrough, one of the UK’s leading mental health and social support charities, and make a lasting impact every day.
We support over 125,000 people each year through our 200 services, empowering individuals to overcome challenges around mental health, housing, and substance use.
About the Role
We are currently looking for an Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist to join our team on a full-time basis.
The Forward Leeds 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 not be based in one office and expected to travel across Leeds 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.
What You’ll Do
An Employment Specialist offers a bespoke employment service to the individual accessing recovery at Forward Leeds 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.
To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:
An employment Specialist needs to be:
1. Positive attitude
2. Flexible
3. Empathetic
4. Proactive
5. Be enthusiastic towards challenges and be able to motivate others
6. Any knowledge of drugs, alcohol, working with ex-offenders, the benefits system or disadvantaged people would be an advantage.
7. Experience of managing a caseload.
8. Excellent communication, both written and verbally.
9. A passion for making a difference to peoples’ lives.
10. 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 Leeds.
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:
11. 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
12. Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
13. Life assurance (3× annual salary)
14. Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
15. Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
16. Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
17. 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
18. Recognition and long service awards via our and portals
19. £500 bonus
20. Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
21. Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
22. 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 .
How to Apply
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