Job overview

Waythrough 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.

Role

We are currently looking for an Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist to join our team on a full-time basis.

The Forward Leeds IPS team aims to increase the number of people we support moving into employment. Employment specialists work closely alongside recovery service staff to support a small caseload of people into employment opportunities.

An Employment Specialist offers a bespoke employment service to the individual accessing recovery at Forward Leeds which includes, career coaching, CV writing, interview techniques, making links with local and national employers, attending job fairs, working across different sites and some community working. To help and support the individual to quickly gain employment as part of their recovery journey.

Responsibilities

  • Actively promote our clients as potential employees and raise awareness of the service. Promote the ethos of our programmes and Humankind and encourage employers to look positively on our clients as potential applicants.
  • Create employment opportunities for our clients through proactive engagement with a network of potential employers.
  • Facilitate work placements, work trials and work experience with relevant employers.
  • Provide appropriate in-work support to clients who have secured employment.
  • Build and maintain an appropriate knowledge of the skills needs of employers, and contribute to monitoring any changes within the labour market.
  • Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date case records for all people on caseload, including recording progression outcomes and post provision tracking utilising a caseload management system.

The person

About you:

  • Experience of managing a caseload.
  • Any knowledge of drugs, alcohol, working with ex-offenders, the benefits system or disadvantaged people would be an advantage.
  • Excellent communication, both written and verbally.
  • Strong IT skills.
  • The ability to build good relationships with a range of different people.
  • A passion for making a difference to peoples’ lives.
  • A valid driving licence and have access to your own vehicle, is not essential for this role but it is preferred due to required travel across Leeds.