Job overview

Why Work for us: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

Employment Specialist

We are looking for a motivated, passionate self-starter who wants to kickstart a career in the mental health sector. This position, with on-the-job training, is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and support those with mental health needs across the Southampton community.

As an IPS Employment Specialist you will play a vital role in helping people with mental health needs find meaningful and fulfilling employment. You’ll receive all the training and support you need to take on the role and develop your skills. Joining a passionate and driven team, you’ll be working towards creating a fairer and more inclusive society for people with mental health needs.

We welcome applications from all experience levels and backgrounds. What you will need is the ability to motivate and build relationships with service users, strong organisational skills, the confidence to communicate and engage with a range of employers, and a fundamental belief that anyone with a mental health condition can work.

Contact details for informal discussion:

For further information and details regarding the position please contact Emma Dalwood, emma.dalwood@southampton.gov.uk

Recruitment contact details:

Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk
Tel: 023 8083 4033

Additional information:

  • The working hours for this role are 37 hours per week and occasional evening / weekend work maybe required.

    • Support, supervision and training are provided.

  • This post is fixed term until 31st March 2025.
  • Please note that appointments are usually made at the bottom of the salary scale.
  • This post requires a DBS check.
  • For any posts that require a DBS check, if you have lived outside the UK within the last 5 years, you will be required to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct or a police certificate from the country/countries you have resided in. Kindly note that this is at the expense of the candidate, as well as any costs involved for translating into English.

Role

What is an IPS Employment Specialist?

This is a rewarding and dynamic role where no day is the same and you’ll be making a genuine difference to people’s lives. Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model you’ll be:

  • Supporting and motivating individuals with mental health conditions to access and sustain paid employment.
  • Regularly meeting with clients to listen, offer support and help them identify their best job match, reflecting their skills and aspirations.
  • Supporting the clients through CV production, interview techniques and managing their health at work.
  • Advocating for your clients by educating and engaging with employers regarding the IPS service.
  • Sourcing job opportunities for your clients through regular contact with local employers within the community.
  • Promoting employment and raising expectations around the ability of service users to access paid employment, breaking down the barriers for them.

Responsibilities

  • Support individuals to access employment including CV creation, job searching, application form filling, interview preparation.
  • To be aware of health and social care needs of individuals and ensure health and safety in accordance with SCC policies.
  • To assess individual employment needs and aspirations, develop an action plan and regularly review this with the individual.
  • Provide Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) in relation to employment and training opportunities.
  • To understand and be committed to IPS and SE philosophy and Equal Opportunities policies.
  • Liaise with employers regarding suitable employment opportunities.
  • Signpost for additional support such as benefit advice, debt assistance, housing support.
  • To follow any agreed programme action and aims and objectives against external funding or service level agreements (when appropriate) in agreement with the Operational Manager.
  • To keep up-to-date records of contacts and outcomes in line with data protection and confidentiality.
  • Effectively use staff 1-1 sessions and team meetings to reflect on and share practice.
  • To undertake relevant training to enhance both personal development and service delivery.

The person

Who are we looking for?

Communication: Ability to initiate and develop relationships with a variety of individuals and be able to engage employers using a variety of methods such as via the telephone or face-to-face in the community.

Record keeping: Strong attention to detail, ensuring accurate and timely recording of case notes and data, essential for monitoring progress and achieving targets.

Collaboration: The ability to work seamlessly within a multidisciplinary team, forging connections and enhancing the overall care experience for participants.

Resilience: The determination to overcome setbacks, find solutions, and continue advocating for participants’, even in the face of challenges.

Innovation: Bringing fresh ideas to the table, exploring creative ways to break down employment barriers, and promoting inclusive practices within the workplace.

We are actively interested in individuals who have experience using a persuasive communication style or promoting a service to a variety of audiences, this can include marketing, recruitment, education, mentoring, or sales roles.

Having a Level 4 qualification in Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) or equivalent is desirable, but not essential.