How long have you worked in IPS?

Since March 2023.

What drew you to a role in IPS?

Working in IPS has felt like a natural progression which is directly in line with my ethics and values. The client is always at the centre of any job for me but equally, paid work shouldn’t be the pot of gold at the end of the recovery journey. IPS reflects my belief system precisely, and because it offers a strategic, results-proven path into paid work, it makes perfect sense to me. Employment is a right and a means to a fuller life for all, and this is fundamentally what attracted me to the job. I am passionate about matching people to meaningful work and ensuring that a client’s job is in line with the requirements of recovery, but I also like forging relationships with employers that makes change happen. Being based in a busy clinical team amongst two IPS Employment colleagues means we can exchange ideas and work innovatively together day to day. 

What were you doing before you started your IPS role?

I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work and I’m a former Social Worker in Child Protection. I also hold twenty-plus years’ experience in front-line homelessness, and specialised in alcohol detoxification for years supporting adults experiencing difficulties with alcohol and substance use. 

After four years on an employment programme with charity Double Impact, an initiative targeted at removing barriers for marginalised groups in society, a role for IPS came up at The Wellbeing Hub – where IPS is embedded within the clinical treatment team. I knew it was the perfect role for me. 

Were there any transferable skills from your previous work that you applied to your role in IPS?

I have always worked with alcohol and substance use in some capacity and have a strong foundation in understanding those complexities and dealing with incredibly challenging circumstances. That seems to come naturally to me.  

What comes less naturally is selling a concept which is a fundamental part of IPS, and this job has really helped me to see how easy building partnerships can be if you take the time and communicate effectively, as well as prioritising what other organisations have to offer. Active listening is a real skill of mine and one which serves IPS well. Networking is now a part of the job I really enjoy, yet in the past I wouldn’t have imagined myself walking into somewhere off the street to chat to a stranger about what they love about their job. 

What’s the best bit about your job?

When you receive a call from a client to say ‘Hey, it’s me, I got the flipping job!’. That is crucially what we are here for, and that gold thread of promise runs through all the work. The high value of paid work. Empowerment. Lifestyles improved.  

The versatile nature of the work is another golden thing for me. IPS is a varied and rewarding job every day. Today, I attended the Jobcentre in the morning to inform the staff team meeting about what IPS does and how to refer their clients to our treatment team, followed by a session with a client to prepare for a civil service admin job interview. The afternoon involved some field work with a client who wants to become a nail technician, so we approached potential beauty salons to obtain further information and had some enlightening discussions about possible apprenticeships and study routes. My last appointment is to complete an in-work support plan with a client who has commenced a freelance translating role, and this will involve her drug treatment key worker. Every day sees growth. 

Can you share any standout moments or ‘wins’ that you have been particularly proud of?

Every success is a standout moment for me. Every success, tiny and colossal, contributes to better lives. Recovery is never linear and each day that clients commit to their journey is transformative.  

One of my clients worked committedly to achieve their employment goals and is now employed as an addiction specialist. He gained media coverage and was interviewed about his recovery. Another client became self-employed with a landscape gardening business.   

I find the most galvanizing outcomes are where clients stumble on their recovery pathway and manage the obstacles this poses in relation to work because of meticulous in-work planning. A real win is when a client has a period off work, addresses difficulties unitedly with their employer, and then makes a full and heathy return to work.  

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

 Relationship building is pivotal to success in this role. You need to be creative, an effective communicator, and if you understand the complex challenges that recovery from alcohol and substance use involves and believe wholeheartedly that work is a cornerstone of recovery, then IPS will be an excellent fit.