IPS Employment Specialist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time
- Posted
- 18/09/2026
- Closes
- 02/10/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role involves supporting individuals with mental health conditions to find and sustain meaningful employment using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. You will manage a caseload, provide job search assistance, and advocate for clients with employers. The position requires strong communication and organisational skills, and offers on-the-job training within a passionate team. It's an opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives and contribute to a more inclusive society.
Essential criteria
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health difficulties or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector
- Experience of supporting people to obtain or keep work
Desirable criteria
- Own personal lived experience of using secondary mental health or addiction services
- Own personal lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties
- Experience and knowledge of the benefits agency and all disability/employment related benefits
- Skills, knowledge and abilities
- A commitment to learning about and working within the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model
- An understanding of the principles and practices of supported employment.
- Good presentation, negotiation, and marketing skills. negotiation skills
- An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health challenges
- Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently
- Basic word processing/computing skills
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- An understanding of the principles and practices of supported employment or the IPS model.
- An understanding of the Equality Act 2010.
- Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics
- Ability to provide vocational assessments and profiling.
- Ability to see solutions rather than problems.
- Ability to work in strength-based ways.
- Ability to work independently of direct supervision
- Education and Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent workplace experience.
- Previous experience (paid/unpaid)
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health difficulties or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector
- Experience of supporting people to obtain or keep work
- Own personal lived experience of using secondary mental health or addiction services
- Own personal lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties
- Experience and knowledge of the benefits agency and all disability/employment related benefits
- Skills, knowledge and abilities
- A commitment to learning about and working within the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model
- An understanding of the principles and practices of supported employment.
- Good presentation, negotiation, and marketing skills. negotiation skills
- An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health challenges
- Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently
- Basic word processing/computing skills
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- An understanding of the principles and practices of supported employment or the IPS model.
- An understanding of the Equality Act 2010.
- Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics
- Ability to provide vocational assessments and profiling.
- Ability to see solutions rather than problems.
- Ability to work in strength-based ways.
- Ability to work independently of direct supervision
- Education and Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent workplace experience.
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 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
IPS Employment Specialist
The closing date is 02 October 2026
Job summary
We are looking for motivated, passionate self-starters who want to kickstart a career in the mental health sector. These position, with on-the-job training, is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and support those with mental health needs.
As an IPS Employment Specialist you will play a vital role in helping people with mental health needs find meaningful and fulfilling employment. You'll receive all the training and support you need to take on the role, develop your skills, and have access to a broad range of opportunities. Joining a passionate and driven team, you'll be working towards creating a fairer and more inclusive society for people with mental health needs.
We welcome applications from all experience levels and backgrounds. What you will need is the ability to motivate and build relationships with service users, strong organisational skills, the confidence to communicate and engage with a range of employers, and a fundamental belief that anyone with a mental health condition can work.
Main duties of the job
What is an IPS Employment Specialist?
This is a rewarding and dynamic role where no day is the same and you'll be making a genuine difference to people's lives. Using the Individual Placement and Support
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