How long have you worked in IPS?

5 years.

What drew you to a role in IPS?

I was headhunted by my Vocational Specialist, a lovely man named Carl. My now manager delivered an invitation to interview for a bank role with the team dated for the next day. I did all my research that evening, and my excitement skyrocketed.  

What were you doing before you started work in IPS?

I was unemployed following a breakdown at work. I used to be a teacher of Latin, Religious Studies and History for a combined 2.5 years, and I had also been teaching English in Japan for 2 years. Whilst I was unemployed, I was trying to fill my time and break even financially by doing casual deliveries through Amazon Flex, doing shifts at the local Warhammer shop when the manager was sick or taking annual leave, and commissioning painting miniatures. 

You’ve worked in such diverse environments! Were there any transferable skills from your background that you applied to your work in IPS?  

I feel like there were lots of professional skills I transferred over, like work ethic, administrative skills, research skills, and presentation/public speaking skills, etc. However, there were also skills I developed through my circumstances. I was a service user, a mental health patient, and benefits claimant doing anything I could to try and make sure all of my bills got paid. 

Shifting to a role in IPS, what was your first week on the job like?

I was honestly very nervous – I felt like I knew the responsibilities of the role, and I honestly aligned with the IPS values too, but the nerves of starting a new job are unavoidable! But, the team were very welcoming and have a “no question too stupid” policy. We can all acknowledge that with a holistic recovery approach, it’s impossible to know everything.  

As someone that’s been working in IPS for 5 years and counting, what’s the best bit about your day?

No one day is identical, honestly. There are days where it’s the routine grind of looking, and supporting in looking for work. But the moment you get a call or text from a service user telling you they got a phone call from an employer, they’ve been invited to an interview, or that they’ve been offered a job, it feels like such an achievement and you get this big rush of feel good chemicals!

That really is such a wonderful feeling. Have there been any standout moments for you while on the job?

I have quite a few stories of helping service users attain great jobs and sustain meaningful employment, from helping a young person get an apprenticeship in Level 2 AAT, to supporting someone to become a salaried architect. I’ve also got a few stories of helping service users at every step of the journey and supporting them intensively until the day they said they felt confident enough to carry on without our support, and a few stories in which the service user got a job the day after signing up. The stand out moments come thick and fast, and any single one is a story in itself. I’ve only been doing this for five years, and I can’t pick any single stand out moment – I treasure each one. 

You’ve supported countless service users on their journeys. What sort of skills have you gained while working in IPS?

Engaging directly with employers on someone else’s behalf was something I hadn’t really done before beyond helping a student get some work experience, and there were some sectors of work I had no experience with at all. Negotiating contracts and reasonable adjustments was something somewhat new for me also, but the team works alongside you and offers great support for learning, as well as general advice.  

Finally – what piece of advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for a job as an IPS Employment Specialist? 

We aren’t a recruitment agency, and we can’t get someone a job – we support someone to get a job.  

Read up on the 8 key principles of IPS, and if you feel these align with your own values, get your application in. 

This isn’t an office job – you’ll get quite familiar with the local cafes and libraries! 

Supporting someone in getting a job start is an amazing feeling, and celebrating their sustainment of meaningful employment is just as fantastic.