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Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

IPS Job Coach

The closing date is 08 February 2026

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Job summary

Are you interested in working with people and making a difference? The Mental Health Employment Support Service is delighted to offer the opportunity to join our friendly team as a Job Coach.

Evidence shows that employment which suits an individual is integral to mental health recovery, and we're looking for someone who shares this belief. If you're keen to make a real difference in people's lives, this could be the role for you.

In this rewarding position, you will support mental health service users to find and retain paid employment, working within the nationally recognised Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model. Full IPS training, peer support and regular supervision will be provided.

You will work with people through all stages of their employment journey - from goal setting and job search to employer engagement and in work support. The role involves agile working, with a base in Wells and travel across local areas as required.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide 1:1 employment support to mental health service users who want to gain or retain paid work.
  • Use the IPS model to deliver personalised, strengths-based employment journeys.
  • Carry out vocational assessments, agree employment goals and create collaborative action plans.
  • Conduct rapid job search, job matching, job carving and employer engagement activities.
  • Build relationships with employers, promoting mental health awareness and reasonable adjustments.
  • Provide ongoing inwork support once individuals start employment.
  • Work closely with clinical teams, IPS Clinical Leads, the Employment Service Manager and partner agencies.
  • Maintain accurate records, data, and reporting in line with IPS and Trust standards.
  • Travel across Somerset to meet service users, employers and partner organisations.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3965

Job locations

The Bridge

Glastonbury Road

Wells

Somerset

BA5 1TJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Working within the IPS Model

Support a caseload of people receiving mental health services who want to move into or stay in paid employment.

Deliver all employment support using the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model, focusing on strengths, preferences and rapid job search.

Provide community-based support and occasional inreach to inpatient settings.

Assessment & Employment Support

Complete vocational assessments to understand each person's skills, experience and job aspirations.

Set clear, achievable employment goals and create tailored action plans.

Provide practical support with job searching, CVs, applications, interviews and workplace adjustments.

Offer ongoing inwork support to help individuals settle into and sustain their roles.

Employer Engagement

Build positive relationships with employers to identify suitable job opportunities.

Promote mental health awareness and inclusive employment practices.

Work with employers to agree reasonable adjustments and ensure successful onboarding.

Partnership & Team Working

Collaborate closely with Community Mental Health Teams, IPS Clinical Leads and the Employment Service Manager.

Liaise with Jobcentre Plus, training providers and voluntary sector organisations to broaden employment options.

Participate in relevant meetings to support joinedup care and strong communication.

Administration, Data & Governance

Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with Trust standards.

Record data on activity and outcomes required for IPS reporting and service monitoring.

Follow all policies relating to safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance and health and safety.

Professional Development

Take part in regular supervision, annual appraisals and IPS fidelity activities.

Engage in ongoing training to maintain knowledge of the IPS model, employment practice and relevant legislation.

Travel & Working Arrangements

Travel across localities as needed to meet service users and employers.

Work flexibly within an agile model while based primarily in Wells.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Working within the IPS Model

Support a caseload of people receiving mental health services who want to move into or stay in paid employment.

Deliver all employment support using the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model, focusing on strengths, preferences and rapid job search.

Provide community-based support and occasional inreach to inpatient settings.

Assessment & Employment Support

Complete vocational assessments to understand each person's skills, experience and job aspirations.

Set clear, achievable employment goals and create tailored action plans.

Provide practical support with job searching, CVs, applications, interviews and workplace adjustments.

Offer ongoing inwork support to help individuals settle into and sustain their roles.

Employer Engagement

Build positive relationships with employers to identify suitable job opportunities.

Promote mental health awareness and inclusive employment practices.

Work with employers to agree reasonable adjustments and ensure successful onboarding.

Partnership & Team Working

Collaborate closely with Community Mental Health Teams, IPS Clinical Leads and the Employment Service Manager.

Liaise with Jobcentre Plus, training providers and voluntary sector organisations to broaden employment options.

Participate in relevant meetings to support joinedup care and strong communication.

Administration, Data & Governance

Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with Trust standards.

Record data on activity and outcomes required for IPS reporting and service monitoring.

Follow all policies relating to safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance and health and safety.

Professional Development

Take part in regular supervision, annual appraisals and IPS fidelity activities.

Engage in ongoing training to maintain knowledge of the IPS model, employment practice and relevant legislation.

Travel & Working Arrangements

Travel across localities as needed to meet service users and employers.

Work flexibly within an agile model while based primarily in Wells.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Certificate in Community Mental Health or NVQ III in a health or social care field or an equivalent level recognised qualification in a human services or customer service related field (e.g. advice and guidance, human resources/recruitment, customer care, business).

Desirable

  • A diploma level qualification or higher in a field such as health, social care, advice and guidance, human resources/recruitment, customer care, business.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of providing advice, guidance and support in healthcare and/or vocational programme settings.
  • Experience of working with adults with severe mental health difficulties or lived experience of mental illness in ones own life or family.

Desirable

  • Experience of working within IPS or other vocational, careers or recruitment services.
  • Experience of preparing and delivering training.
  • Experience of risk assessment and management within a mental health care setting.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Knowledge of and commitment to the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.
  • Ability to drive a car with appropriate business insurance and driver licence, and access a variety of Trust and community sites throughout the county

Desirable

  • Knowledge of The Equality Act 2010 and other employment related legislation and their implementation.
  • Job search, job matching, job carving skills and return to work planning skills
  • Marketing skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Certificate in Community Mental Health or NVQ III in a health or social care field or an equivalent level recognised qualification in a human services or customer service related field (e.g. advice and guidance, human resources/recruitment, customer care, business).

Desirable

  • A diploma level qualification or higher in a field such as health, social care, advice and guidance, human resources/recruitment, customer care, business.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of providing advice, guidance and support in healthcare and/or vocational programme settings.
  • Experience of working with adults with severe mental health difficulties or lived experience of mental illness in ones own life or family.

Desirable

  • Experience of working within IPS or other vocational, careers or recruitment services.
  • Experience of preparing and delivering training.
  • Experience of risk assessment and management within a mental health care setting.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Knowledge of and commitment to the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.
  • Ability to drive a car with appropriate business insurance and driver licence, and access a variety of Trust and community sites throughout the county

Desirable

  • Knowledge of The Equality Act 2010 and other employment related legislation and their implementation.
  • Job search, job matching, job carving skills and return to work planning skills
  • Marketing skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Bridge

Glastonbury Road

Wells

Somerset

BA5 1TJ


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Bridge

Glastonbury Road

Wells

Somerset

BA5 1TJ


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Sue Newell

susan.newell@somersetft.nhs.uk

07500783469

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3965

Job locations

The Bridge

Glastonbury Road

Wells

Somerset

BA5 1TJ


Supporting documents

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