IPS Employment Specialist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 14/09/2026
- Closes
- 27/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This advert explicitly states that sponsorship is not offered.
The source advert contains explicit wording ruling out sponsorship for this specific role. Consider other live roles at the same band from sponsorship-friendly trusts.
“**Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Please ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.**”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role involves supporting individuals with mental health conditions to secure and maintain employment using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. You will engage with local employers to create job opportunities, assist clients with job applications and interviews, and provide ongoing in-work support. The position requires adherence to IPS Fidelity Model standards and accurate record-keeping, with much of the work delivered in the community.
Key responsibilities
- Undertake weekly face-to-face engagement with local employers to proactively generate tailored job opportunities.
- Work collaboratively with clients to identify employment goals, develop CVs, and prepare for interviews.
- Support clients in discussing their mental health condition with potential employers, if they choose to disclose.
- Provide welfare benefits advice and calculations to help clients make informed employment decisions.
- Deliver ongoing in-work support to both clients and employers to ensure sustainable employment outcomes.
- Adhere to the quality standards and compliance requirements of the IPS Fidelity Model and maintain accurate records.
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent training in a relevant field
- Experience or knowledge of employability or the labour market
- Team orientated and works collaboratively within a mixed-disciplinary team
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector
- Experience of partnership working, negotiation and liaison work with other stake holders and agencies
- Excellent Organisational skills
- Ability to manage own time effectively and independently
- Natural ability to build close trusting and productive relationships with people
- Highly motivated with a genuine belief that employment will help the recovery of someone with a mental health condition
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
Desirable criteria
- Role specific experience of 2 years
- Trained in / knowledge of IPS approach
- Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services Sector Qualification
- Experience of working within mental health services
- Previous experience of delivering a service using the IPS model
- Lived experience / experience of recovery from a mental health condition
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 5 at £29,970 – £36,483 a year, across England.
This advert: £32,073 – £39,043 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 13d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
IPS Employment Specialist
The closing date is 27 September 2026
Job summary
Are you passionate about supporting people and understanding of mental health needs? If so, you could be the ideal candidate for our team.
We are recruiting band 5 employment specialists to join Dorset Work Matters (DWM), supporting clients across Dorset. These roles are made possible through expansion funding, reflecting commitment to extending specialist mental health employment support.
We currently have the following opportunities available: 1 full-time role covering West Dorset based within a Community Rehabilitation.
DWM is a well-established, high-performing partnership between Dorset Healthcare Trust and Dorset Mental Health Forum. Since 2019, the service has provided evidence-based support to individuals with mental health conditions, helping them secure paid employment through the nationally recognised individual placement and support (IPS) model.
We are seeking motivated specialists to support people with mental health conditions into sustainable employment, working closely with NHS teams, employers and partner organisations. You will build trusting relationships and provide practical, tailored support to help individuals achieve their employment goals, with much of the work being delivered in the community.
We welcome applic
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