IPS Employment Specialist - Early Intervention
At a glance
- Band
- Band 5
- Contract
- Fixed-term
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 15/09/2026
- Closes
- 29/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
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Role summary
This role involves providing an effective Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment service for individuals with severe and enduring mental health conditions who wish to work. You will work within a multi-disciplinary mental health team, collaborating with other professionals to provide integrated care. Key responsibilities include developing partnerships with employers and local services to meet client employment needs, and contributing to the Work Well network by sharing knowledge and expertise. The specialist will support clients in identifying job goals, overcoming barriers, and finding suitable opportunities.
Key responsibilities
- Promote the employment service to mental health professionals, service users, and carers to ensure steady referrals.
- Support clients in identifying job goals, assessing needs, and creating action plans to overcome barriers to work.
- Deliver personalised one-to-one coaching using various communication methods.
- Engage with local employers to identify suitable job opportunities and placements.
- Maintain accurate records, session notes, and outcome evidence using electronic systems.
- Manage own caseload and time effectively, track progress toward targets, and use supervision for development.
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge gained through relevant work experience (A).
- Equivalent level of knowledge gained through relevant work experience (A).
- Recent experience of supporting or coaching individuals on a one-to-one basis (in a voluntary role or paid role), verified by an employer reference1 (A).
- Experience of managing multiple tasks at any one time (A)
- Demonstrates clear understanding of what the Employment Specialist role involves (A, I).
- Demonstrates an understanding of primary and secondary care health services (A).
- Demonstrates clear understanding of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model (A)
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with others clearly (verbally and non-verbally), negotiate, persuade, and influence, and work as part of a team (A, I, T).
- High standard of written English (A, I, T).
- Confident using digital technology and proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams (A, I, T).
- High level of learning agility; adapts positively to change and feedback (A, I, T).
- Excellent time management; plans and organises own workload independently (A, I, T).
- Exceptional listening skills; able to perceive and interpret verbal and non-verbal messages (A, I, T).
- Demonstrates passion for supporting people with mental health problems into work (A, I, T).
- Takes responsibility for own actions and personal development (A, I, T).
Desirable criteria
- Training or qualification in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) (A).
- Training or qualification in Job Retention Support (A). .
- Accredited qualification in coaching or career guidance (A).
- Experience of delivering employment advice or coaching to people who are unemployed or have a disability or mental health problem (A). .
- Experience of engaging employers to identify job opportunities (A). .
- Experience of delivering training courses or workshops in person or online (A).
- Lived experience of mental health problems or caring for someone with a mental health problem (A).
- Knowledge of mental health conditions and understanding the impact of mental health conditions on employment and the support needs of individuals (A).
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 5 at £29,970 – £36,483 a year, across England.
This advert: £36,943 – £44,900 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 2d ago · Closes in 13d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
IPS Employment Specialist - Early Intervention
The closing date is 29 September 2026
Job summary
Job Purpose:
To provide an effective IPS employment service for people with severe and enduring mental health conditions who want to work.
To work as part of a multi-disciplinary mental health team, working alongside other mental health and social care professionals, providing joined-up mental health care.
To develop partnerships with employers, local providers, and services to ensure that the employment support needs of clients are met.
To work as part of the Work Well network, sharing knowledge and expertise with a range of other employment professionals across Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
Please note vacancy may be closed early once capacity has been met.
Main duties of the job
Promote the employment service to mental health professionals, service users, and carers to ensure steady referrals.Support clients in identifying job goals, assessing needs, and creating action plans to overcome barriers to work.Deliver personalised one-to-one coaching using various communication methods, including face-to-face, video, phone, email, and text.Engage with local employers to identify suitable job opportunities and placements.Challenge stigma and negative beliefs around mental health and employment.Maintai
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