Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support)
Swindon | CGL
Permanent contract
Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers and find meaningful work that transforms their lives?
Deadline: 22nd March 2026
* South West
* Full-time
Job overview
At Change Grow Live, our dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of our Service Users is unwavering. We provide support, respect, and a safe environment, tailoring our approach to each individual’s needs to discover the best treatment and care options.
Guided by our core values of being open, compassionate, and bold, our diverse team embodies these principles daily. We strive to empower individuals to reshape their lives, foster personal growth, and embrace life to its fullest.
Embark on a Journey as an IPS Employment Specialist at Change Grow Live
Where: Swindon
Full Time Salary: £29,529.80 – £32,002.35 pro rata dependent on experience (based on full time hours, pro rata for part time)
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 per week
We are excited to welcome an enthusiastic individual as an Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist. In this role, you’ll manage a small caseload of clients currently accessing structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol use, guiding and supporting them to secure meaningful employment. As part of a community-based drug and alcohol treatment service, you’ll build and nurture positive relationships within the community.
Change Grow Live is a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference in our Service Users’ lives. We offer support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and support options.
If you’re excited about this opportunity, apply now and be part of our transformative journey at Change Grow Live.
Join us in making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Please review the attached Job Description and Role Specifics for a detailed outline of responsibilities and Person Specification.
Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.
Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions. More information about eligible roles and occupations can be found here: Skilled Worker visa: Overview – GOV.UK
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Role
You will manage a caseload of clients in structured treatment for drug and/ or alcohol use to assist them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences. 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. You will work as part of a community drug and alcohol treatment service, maintaining positive and integrated relationships, fostering a holistic approach to recovery through employment.
Responsibilities
* Manage a caseload of around 25 clients in structured treatment for substance use who are motivated to start/return to work
* Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach for which training will be given
* Meet and support clients to understand their key skills, aspirations, and goals through completing a Vocational Profile and produce an Action Plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment. This includes support with their job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques and career development
* Assess client support needs related to work which may include benefits/welfare advice, disclosure of mental health symptoms etc., and provide support & guidance
* Attend weekly clinical team meetings as an embedded IPS practitioner
* Source job opportunities for clients through tailored job search and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden as well as advertised employment opportunities
* Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy and ongoing contact with the employer to ensure job retention
* Build relationships with colleagues in clinical teams to engage and generate referrals and create collaborative working partnerships with clinical staff (promoting employment as a positive intervention in the recovery journey)
* Once employment has been secured continue to provide quality service through conducting regular visits, effective monitoring and in‑work support to clients and employers to help sustain employment
* Build and maintain employer relationships and maintain an employer engagement database
* Arrange regular meetings with clients to monitor and review progress pre and post‑employment
* Spend time getting to know local employers to negotiate job opportunities that meet everyone’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences
* Challenge inequalities experienced by clients and address existing discrimination, whilst ensuring a process of learning for the organisation
* Work with employers to promote the service, identify job opportunities and ensure appropriate strategies are in place to reduce barriers in the workplace – this can include exploring ‘job carving’ i.e. carving small slices of work from the duties other staff do not have time to do
* Develop effective working relationships with a range of external agencies who can help individuals to achieve their employment goals. This may include local colleges and training providers
* Adhere to administrative and data capture protocols which record the progress of individuals, and keep accurate and complete records of casework
* Work independently, reliably and deliver consistently to deliver effective IPS practice. Ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation systems are adhered to and keep abreast of changing practice within vocational rehabilitation
* Co‑produce service development with service users where possible
* Collect employment recovery stories from people accessing the service
* Ensure that all relevant policies are implemented such as information governance, safeguarding etc.
* Partake in continuous learning about substance use and mental health conditions, their impact and how they can be managed and undertake mandatory training as required
* Work flexible hours as required
The person
About You:
* Experience or understanding of working with individuals needing substance use support or similar client groups
* Excellent motivational, communication, and attentive listening skills
* Outstanding interpersonal abilities with a knack for building rapport
* Non‑judgmental, trustworthy, and empathetic approach toward mental health support needs
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