Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

IPS Employment Specialist

The closing date is 05 August 2025

Job summary

1. Can you build strong, professional relationships with people?2. Are you able to consistently hold hope for others?3. Are you action-orientated and excited by the idea of cultivating job opportunities with local employers?

If you answered yes to those three questions, we would like to hear from you!The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Service is a specialist employment support service that works across the length and breadth of CNTW NHS Foundation Trust.

We provide evidence-based, NICE-recommended employment support to people who experience serious mental health problems, helping make career ambitions a reality.

We are delighted to be recruiting to our North Cumbria IPS team, and have one full-time, permanent position available. This post will be based in the Eden area however the post holder will be expected to travel across North Cumbria to meet the needs of our service users.

Staff will be based in Penrith Library 2-4pm on Friday 1st August. Come and meet the team , we will be available to answer any questions

Main duties of the job

Staff will be based in Penrith Library 2-4pm on Friday 1st August. Come and meet the team , we will be available to answer any questions

The IPS Employment Support Service focuses on three specific groups of people:1. People accessing Secondary Care mental health services who would like advice or support regarding employment.2. Local businesses who employ people.3. Healthcare professionals working within CNTW.

As a member of the IPS Service you will work extremely closely with the above three groups, actively engaging and building strong, professional relationships with all three. Actively listening and learning from people, adapting your practice and individualising your support to maximise the chances that:1. People using our service achieve their employment ambitions and benefit from the improved physical and mental health associated with good employment.

2. Local employers are supported to meet and retain talented, highly skilled people who may otherwise have difficulty attaining or retaining employment due to their health conditions.

3. Healthcare professionals across CNTW are supported to understand the IPS offer, know how to access or refer to us and work closely with us to support people achieve their employment and recovery goals.

About us

CNTW aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

The CNTW IPS Service have supported hundreds of people secure paid and retain employment that has helped them thrive! We're fantastic to work for and can guarantee an exciting and varied role that rewards creativity and an action-orientated attitude.

Date posted

22 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

263-CCG25-259-LB

Job locations

Penrith Hospital

Penrith

CA11 8HX

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for further information about the main responsibilities of the role.

If you would like to find out more about these exciting opportunities and our team, please contact IPSemploymentsupport@cntw.nhs.uk.

Advertising date : 22nd July 2025

Closing date : 5th August 2025

We welcome your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for further information about the main responsibilities of the role.

If you would like to find out more about these exciting opportunities and our team, please contact IPSemploymentsupport@cntw.nhs.uk.

Advertising date : 22nd July 2025

Closing date : 5th August 2025

We welcome your application.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and employment history

Essential

Degree or experience equivalent to a degree
Evidence of experience working in a multidisciplinary team
Proven ability to build strong therapeutic relationships
Minimum 2 years experience working with people with mental health difficulties

Desirable

Additional training, qualifications or specific employment support experience
Experience working in a health setting
Experience of managing a caseload independently
Lived experience/carer experience

Knowledge and experience

Essential

Understanding of the statutory challenges which may impact the ambitions of people accessing our service
Strong understanding of the principles and practice of support employment methodology (place, train, maintain)
Knowledge of policies and legislation that relate to protection and promotion of employment rights for people with disability

Desirable

Knowledge of employment law and Equality Act 2010
Knowledge or training in IPS methodology and principles
Knowledge and experience of living or working in Eden area

Skills and competencies

Essential

Commitment to multi-agency team working
Outstanding communication skills incl. verbal and written skills
Excellent coaching and active listening skills
Outstanding ability to build rapport with a wide range of people
Being able to demonstrate adaptability and flexibility
Proven ability to use IT systems

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and employment history

Essential

Degree or experience equivalent to a degree
Evidence of experience working in a multidisciplinary team
Proven ability to build strong therapeutic relationships
Minimum 2 years experience working with people with mental health difficulties

Desirable

Additional training, qualifications or specific employment support experience
Experience working in a health setting
Experience of managing a caseload independently
Lived experience/carer experience

Knowledge and experience

Essential

Understanding of the statutory challenges which may impact the ambitions of people accessing our service
Strong understanding of the principles and practice of support employment methodology (place, train, maintain)
Knowledge of policies and legislation that relate to protection and promotion of employment rights for people with disability

Desirable

Knowledge of employment law and Equality Act 2010
Knowledge or training in IPS methodology and principles
Knowledge and experience of living or working in Eden area

Skills and competencies

Essential

Commitment to multi-agency team working
Outstanding communication skills incl. verbal and written skills
Excellent coaching and active listening skills
Outstanding ability to build rapport with a wide range of people
Being able to demonstrate adaptability and flexibility
Proven ability to use IT systems

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.