Job overview

Workways are recruiting an Employment Specialist staff join the STEP team that covers North/Mid Devon. The Workways admin base is in Exminster, near Exeter, but day to day work for the post holder will be based within the Early Intervention Team base.

Post holders will work closely with and receive management and clinical supervision from the established Workways team who are currently working alongside all adult CMHT teams within DPT. The post holder will be involved in assisting Early Intervention Team clients to find and receive support while in paid employment using the evidenced based Individual Placement & Support (IPS) approach. The post holder will also provide information, guidance and support to clients who want to progress with education and training working closely to the IPS priniciples. Experience of supporting employers and helping people with a health condition (preferably mental health-related) to find employment are essential to the role.

Role

In this role, as an Employment Specialist, you will be working closing with service users, employers, Job Centres and other agencies, to deliver high quality, effective employment support using Individual Placement and Support (IPS), the evidence-based method of finding work for individuals with significant mental health needs.

You will have the opportunity to work with a small, friendly team, managing a caseload of no more than 20 service users. IPS focuses on delivering high quality support for individuals so you will have the chance to work closely with each person on your caseload.

In the field of employment support you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and practice in a unique and highly rewarding way, using your existing knowledge of mental health and social care, and taking this into the rapidly developing national arena of IPS services.

Responsibilities

See the job description attached

The person

Experience
Essential
– Knowledge of the IPS approach to supported employment in relation to Early Intervention Services
-Knowledge of the employment /education needs and possible difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.
– Understanding of mental health conditions
– Understanding of current mental health services

Desirable
– An understanding of the current research and thinking about vocational rehabilitation services
– Understanding of Recovery principles
– Understanding of practice and principles of risk assessment
– Current awareness of relevant Benefits
– Current awareness of Government employment/training schemes
– Working knowledge of Equality Act
– Working knowledge of employment law
– Good understanding of health and safety at work issues
– Knowledge of groupwork theory
– Some experience of specifically assisting people to find paid employment
– Some experience of working in a mental health and/or employment specialist role.
– Has practised the IPS approach to supported employment
– Experience of working in a range of jobs
– Experience of running groups/delivering training
– Personal experience of mental health issues

Qualifications
Essential
– Degree in either occupational therapy, careers guidance, vocational rehabilitation or related subject and / or Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
– Equivalent experience should demonstrate knowledge, skills, and behaviours aligned with IPS competencies and values: a) Employment Support Experience b) Mental Health or Social Care Experience c) Community Engagement d) Transferable Skills and qualities
Desirable
– NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance
– Certificate in Coaching skills
– Willing to work towards a specific level Vocational Rehabilitation/IPS qualification
– Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).