Employment Specialist

Chichester, West Sussex Change Grow Live

Fixed term contract

Looking for a role where you can support people with mental health needs into meaningful employment and make a real difference in your community?

Deadline: 7th July 2026

• South East
• Full-time

Job overview

CGL have been a leading provider of recovery focused drug and alcohol services across England and Wales for over 20 years. Our innovation and creative approach allow us to provide a broad range of safe, high-quality health and social care services.

As an IPS Employment Specialist joining our West Sussex team you will be supporting people in recovery to find paid employment that is right for them, using the Individual Placement Support model of employment support.

Change Grow Live are committed to creating an inclusive work environment, which celebrates differences and allows our staff and service users to flourish. We recruit the very best people from a wide range of backgrounds, ensuring service users benefit from our diverse skills and expertise. We always work to the principles of fairness and equality of opportunity in all our recruitment processes.

Role

In this role, you'll manage a caseload of 25 individuals receiving structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol use, helping them secure sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences.

You'll deliver the IPS model for our County South area, offering person-centered advice and guidance while fostering positive relationships with local employers to create employment opportunities.

Your focus will be on helping clients sustain their employment while working collaboratively with treatment service staff to identify potential referrals and provide integrated support leading to job acquisition and retention.

IPS is a fundamental commitment in the Government's Drug Strategy, revolutionising employment support in all treatment services in England. This evidence-based model ensures service users secure preference-led paid work, significantly more effective than any other support.

Responsibilities

See full job description

The person

About You:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent work experience
• Strong communication skills for effective relationship building
• Proficient in team management and support strategies
• Aptitude in data collection and reporting for IPS services
• Dedication to assisting individuals secure paid employment
• Proven ability to connect with individuals, especially those affected by substance misuse
• Able to work flexibly across a county-wide area and across community locations