IPS Employment Specialist

IPS Employment Specialist

Closing date: 07 July 2026.

IPS (Individual Placement and Support) is an evidence-based approach to helping people with mental health conditions find and keep a paid job.

At present, only around 8% of people receiving support from secondary mental health services are in paid employment, while studies suggest almost 90% of people with serious and enduring mental health conditions want to work.

Following further investment and expansion of the IPS service an exciting opportunity has arisen for a number of permanent IPS Employment Specialists in the following areas: York, Northallerton, Harrogate and Ripon, Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale.

The IPS worker will work with people who have a mental illness and support them into employment and then enable them to retain that employment. As an IPS worker you will look for paid employment opportunities for clients who are currently involved with secondary care adult mental health services, developing opportunities with local employers and supporting clients to ensure the right person is in the right job.

You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. This role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.

Main duties

You will support clients with job searching, completing CVs and application forms and interview preparation. You will liaise with and signpost to a range of employment and training programmes within the local area, including Job Centre Plus, and develop your knowledge and networks of employment-related support services and inclusive employers within the local area.

The role is part of a wider employment support service, working closely with people with moderate to severe common mental health problems and their clinicians. You will support service users to gain or return to competitive (paid) employment following the Individual Placement and Support process, aiming for fidelity to this delivery model. The role will involve working directly with Jobcentre Plus, employers, trade unions and employment agencies to secure paid employment opportunities, including supporting them and their employers to retain these opportunities for up to one year once gained.

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will establish ongoing monitoring and support systems for clients once employment is secured, reviewing employment gained to ensure it meets both client and employer needs. You will offer support to employers and clients with any problems that may arise and promote disability awareness among employers to ensure positive integration of clients into the workforce.

You will be dynamic and highly motivated, with excellent communication skills to enable effective engagement with a wide range of agencies, employers, clients and sometimes their families. Innovation, determination and the ability to influence assertively are key to the success of this role.

You will apply consistently high standards, have knowledge of relevant legislation and be willing to attend training as required. The role requires a strong commitment to employment and social inclusion.

IPS supervision and clinical support from community mental health team members will be offered on a regular basis with ongoing training and development opportunities relevant to the post.

Due to the nature of the role, it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. Adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Numeracy and literacy level 2 (or above)
• Minimum of level 4 qualification related to IPS practice e.g. Level 4 - Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), higher apprenticeship, higher national certificate (HNC), level 4 award, level 4 certificate, level 4 diploma, level 4 NVQ. If level 4 award (or higher) is not a health or social care related subject, a care certificate will be completed during the first six months of employment.
• OR a minimum of 2 years of experience delivering employment support, health/social care support or providing coaching/advice and guidance
• Evidence of additional qualifications relevant to the role

Skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service.
• Ability to deliver employment support interventions competently.
• Ability to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation.
• Adherence to Trust record-keeping standards.
• Ability to adapt intervention using own initiative within own scope of practice.
• Ability to plan and organise a given caseload and prioritise effectively.
• Fully compliant with statutory and mandatory training.
• Completed "Doing What Works" IPS.
• Ability to lead a group session, training or equivalent.
• Ability to use employment-related software packages/platforms.
• Demonstrate IPS and service-specific competencies.

Personal Attributes

• Awareness of the needs of individuals from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to relate to the needs of the patient group.
• Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people, their families and carers.
• Ability to work independently in a variety of settings using initiative appropriately.
• Ability to work under pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
• Able to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a team.
• Committed to continual quality and service improvement.
• Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities and autism.
• Committed to promoting a positive image of IPS and the Trust.
• Self-awareness and committed to continual personal development.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year pro rata, per annum.