IPS Employment Specialist

Together Devon is an integrated drug and alcohol recovery service supporting individuals with advice, treatment, and long-term recovery solutions. We are committed to helping people transform their lives - and now we're looking for a passionate and motivated IPS Employment Specialist to be part of that journey.

Deadline: 13th July 2025

• South West
• Full-time

Job overview

Waythrough (formerly Humankind) launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support.
We have almost 200 services around England - and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 125,000 people.
Bringing together two big organisations is not a small task and it'll take a while to fully integrate our systems, processes and approaches. That's why you will notice the jobs here are still branded 'Humankind'. Next year we'll be fully integrating our recruitment systems but for now they are separate.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications. Interviews may be held before the closing date.
Please note in your Cover Letter which hub you would like to be considered for.

Role

We are expanding our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team and are looking for three Employment Specialists (one in Exeter, one in Barnstaple and one in Newton Abbott) to support individuals in substance use treatment to gain meaningful paid employment.

Using the evidence-based IPS model, you'll deliver a person-centred employment service that empowers people to make their own job choices and take steps toward long-term recovery.

This role is varied, fulfilling, and ideal for someone who is enthusiastic about helping others and enjoys working in dynamic, community-based environments.

Responsibilities

As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will be responsible for:

• Delivering tailored employment support, including CV writing, job searches, interview coaching, and career planning.
• Building strong relationships with local and national employers to source job opportunities.
• Supporting individuals on a 1:1 basis to identify their goals and move quickly into employment.
• Working across our main sites in Exeter, Barnstaple, and Newton Abbot.
• Representing Together Devon at job fairs and networking events.
• Maintaining accurate records and contribute to a data-driven service.

The person

We are looking for someone who is:

• Empathetic and motivational - able to support and inspire others on their recovery journey.
• Flexible and proactive - comfortable managing a varied workload and working across different locations.
• A great communicator - able to engage confidently with clients, employers, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Organised and driven - capable of working independently in a target-based environment.

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience working with employers or in stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of substance misuse, criminal justice, the benefits system, or supporting disadvantaged groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Don't worry if you're new to IPS - full training and ongoing support will be provided.