Job overview

To support with our exciting expansion of IPS across mental health teams in Lancashire and South Cumbria, we are seeking a Senior Employment Specialist to join our team and help us to continue our success.

You will manage a team of Employment Specialists and work face-to-face with people who have mental health support needs, to assist them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences.

Role

You will work as part of a community mental health team, maintaining positive and integrated relationships, fostering a holistic approach to recovery through employment.
The Early Intervention Service consists of multi-disciplinary teams set up to seek, identify and reduce treatment delays at the onset of psychosis and promote recovery by reducing the probability of relapse following a first episode of psychosis.

Responsibilities

  • Manage a high quality service that adheres to the principles of IPS best practice.
  • Monitor and manage performance of the IPS Employment Specialists – guide them individually on best practice and achieving individual and team job outcome targets.
  • Identify training needs of staff and arrange appropriate training to support with continuous professional development.
  • Coordinate the work of Employment Specialists in Lancashire in relation to building relationships with employers to effectively access the hidden labour market, external agencies and delivery of job seeking groups.
  • Produce regular monitoring reports for internal and external stakeholders, including commissioners.
  • Manage a (half) caseload of service users.
  • Identify barriers for service excellence and work with internal and external stakeholders to implement solutions to ensure a high-fidelity service.
  • Responsible for marketing and profiling the service for the team. This includes delivering the communications strategy, collecting and promoting employment recovery stories etc.

The person

  • Substantial knowledge of disability issues, policies and legislation in relation to employment.
  • Understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment.
  • Knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs.
  • Understanding of the IPS employment model and experience of supporting staff using this employment support technique.
  • An understanding of the employment needs, and challenges faced by people who experience mental health difficulties.