Job overview

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

Role

As IPS Manager, you will lead a team of three Employment Specialists delivering IPS support across Forward Leeds hubs in Kirkgate, Irford House and Armley.

You will provide supervision, coaching and performance management while also holding a small caseload of service users.

You will ensure the service meets IPS fidelity standards, delivers strong employment outcomes, and maintains effective relationships with key partners including DWP, employers and commissioners.

You will also take responsibility for service coordination across multiple sites, ensuring consistency, quality and strong operational delivery.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage a team of 3 Employment Specialists, providing supervision, PDRs, caseload support and performance management
  • Deliver and maintain a high-fidelity IPS service aligned to best practice standards
  • Manage a small caseload of service users, supporting them into sustainable employment
  • Work across three Forward Leeds hubs (Kirkgate, Irford House and Armley) to ensure consistent service delivery
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, including developing access to the hidden labour market
  • Maintain and develop relationships with key partners including DWP and other external agencies
  • Lead weekly caseload review meetings and support team performance against outcomes and targets (including 60% community-based engagement target for appointments)
  • Produce performance reports and updates for internal stakeholders, commissioners and partners
  • Coordinate and support delivery of short vocational courses such as CSCS and other employability programmes
  • Support the management and dissemination of IPS petty cash, ensuring accurate records and compliance with finance processes
  • Liaise with finance teams to support annual budgeting and monitoring processes
  • Ensure quality assurance through service user feedback, co-production and continuous improvement
  • Lead on event coordination and employer engagement activities (e.g. BID Construction events, Elland Road employer events)
  • Deliver presentations to a range of audiences including staff teams, employers, partners and external stakeholders
  • Use digital platforms effectively (Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint and other virtual delivery tools)

The person

  • Experience working in employment services, supported employment, substance use, health, social care or voluntary sector settings
  • Proven experience of managing staff and performance (including supervision and PDRs)
  • Strong leadership, motivational and coaching skills
  • Experience building relationships with employers and external stakeholders
  • Strong understanding of IPS principles and supported employment approaches
  • Experience managing targets, caseloads and reporting performance data
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities across different sites
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams and digital communication tools
  • Level 3 qualification in Employability Services, Advice & Guidance or equivalent experience

    • Desirable Experience

  • Formal training in IPS model
  • Experience delivering employability training or short courses
  • Experience working with DWP or similar employment partnership programmes
  • Event coordination or employer engagement event delivery experience