IPS Employment Specialist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 27/08/2026
- Closes
- 10/09/2026
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.
Role summary
This role involves supporting mental health service users to find and maintain paid employment using the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model. The specialist will manage a caseload of up to 25 service users, helping them identify skills and goals through vocational profiling. Key duties include rapid job search, sourcing opportunities, and engaging local employers to negotiate suitable placements. The position aims to promote recovery and well-being by maximising independence through work.
Key responsibilities
- Deliver the IPS model of employment support to mental health service users.
- Manage a caseload of up to 25 service users, supporting them in finding paid work.
- Prepare individuals for paid work by identifying their skills, aspirations, and goals through vocational profiling and action planning.
- Conduct rapid job searches and source job opportunities tailored to service users' needs.
- Engage local employers to negotiate job opportunities that match individual strengths and preferences.
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of mental health issues and disability
- Degree level qualification or equivalent knowledge
- Demonstrate experience of working with disadvantaged groups who have accessed similar services
- Experience of working collaboratively in a team
- Computer / IT literate
- Experience of writing reports
- Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with a range of people, including those who may present with challenging behaviour at times
- Evidence of effectively managing time with excellent organisational skills
- Ability to build trusting and productive relationships with people in a range of settings
- Ability to adjust plans in response to changing individual needs
- A caring, responsible and positive approach
- Reliable, trustworthy and enthusiastic. Motivated and innovative
- Persistence and resilience to not give up despite setbacks and frustrations
- Respond positively to challenges and maintain an optimistic approach
Desirable criteria
- Ability to use IT systems, MS Office etc.
- Knowledge and experience of the IPS approach or other vocational or employment provision
- Minimum 2 years experience of working in supported employment services
- Good understanding of the principles and practices of supported employment
- Experience or knowledge of working with an Individual Placement Support (IPS) model or other supported employment approaches
- Experience of working on opening up job opportunities with a range of employers supporting people in these settings
- Experience in teaching and presenting information to a range of audiences
- Experience of dealing with Mental Health Services
- Experience of writing clinical notes and reports
- Experience of reporting back to multidisciplinary teams or partners
- Experience of partnership working, negotiation and liaison work within other agencies
- Able to demonstrate effective communication skills at all levels
- Able to use IT systems and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel
- Willingness to travel to other locations across the Organisation
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 11d ago · Closes in 4d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
IPS Employment Specialist
The closing date is 10 September 2026
Job summary
Would you like to support mental health team service users to achieve recovery through paid work?
An exciting opportunity for experienced Employment Specialists has arisen within the Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust's Individual Placement & Support (IPS) team.
The post holder will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team ensuring that high quality, individualised care is delivered that promotes recovery and well-being and maximises independence.
This role has a probationary period of six months for external candidates.
Please note that this advertised vacancy does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa and therefore HTFT would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the role are:
- Delivery of IPS model of employment support
- Supporting users of Mental Health Services in Hull and East Riding
- Fixed term appointment which can become a permanent position.
- To manage a caseload of up to 25 service users at any one time who are receiving specialist mental health support and wish to find paid work
- To prepare individuals for paid work by supporting service users to identify their skills, aspirations and goals through vocational profil
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