Employment Specialist role at Southdown
Department: Mental Health and Wellbeing Services
Location: Lewes, East Sussex (Lewes base, covering Newhaven)
Hours: 30 per week
Salary: £27,942 per year plus £1,000 essential car user allowance (calculated pro rata)
Application Deadline: 11 September 2025
Description
What you’ll be doing
Southdown’s Work & Wellbeing Service helps people accessing treatment for mental health support back into employment. As an Employment Specialist, you’ll be working in partnership with Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust and co-located within the Neighbourhood Mental Health Team, with some remote and community-based working.
Working as part of the Secondary Mental Health Care team, you’ll support clients in treatment for varied mental health issues, assisting them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model; providing person-centred guidance to clients, whilst building positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into suitable employment.
Do you understand the importance of work and the vital role it can play in the lives of those with mental health conditions?
Who we are
Southdown is the largest not-for-profit provider of care, support, and housing in Sussex. We’ve been helping people access stable accommodation, mental health and care services since 1972, now counting over 900 people as part of our team.
Perks and benefits
* Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme covering dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with optional higher cover.
* Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
* Easit Network: discounts on train, bus and car journeys (e.g., 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets).
* Blue Light card: discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants and high-street vendors.
* Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
* 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.
Knowledge, skills and experience
What you’ll need for the role
* Exceptional communication skills, reactive to the differing needs of the client, and able to adapt your approach as appropriate.
* An understanding of the employment needs and challenges for people experiencing mental health issues
* Knowledge of the principles of co-production and a personalised care approach
* Enhanced DBS check (paid for by Southdown)
* Full Driving Licence is essential along with access to your own vehicle or a vehicle insured for you
Nice to have
* Experience supporting clients experiencing mental health challenges, including those in crisis or facing complex challenges.
Training
Our award-winning in-house training team will help you gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.
How to apply
Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form. The application closing date is 11 September 2025; interviews will be held on 22 September 2025. If we receive a large number of applications, this position may close before the advertised closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Seniority level
* Associate
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Human Resources
Industries
* Non-profit Organizations
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Southdown by 2x
Location notes
Lewes, England, United Kingdom
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr