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

Employment Specialist

The closing date is 23 September 2025

Job summary

Interested in a new challenge? Want to help people thrive? An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the CNTW Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Support Team.

Main duties of the job

We help anyone with serious mental health problems pursue their employment ambitions in a highly person-centred way using an evidence-based approach that is proven to work.We are recruiting for a new member of staff to join our service in working into the multi-disciplinary teams that make up our Newcastle Upon Tyne Secondary Care Community Mental Health Teams. They are based in East and West Newcastle.This job would be perfect for anyone who:

Can build strong therapeutic relationships.
Has a passion for overcoming obstacles for others.
Truly values inclusivity and a rights-based approach to supporting others.
Lives and breathes our Trust values.
Has lived experience of mental health difficulties or employment challenges.We don't expect you:
To know the IPS method inside out, as we will train you.
Have specific qualifications, as we welcome equivalent experience.
To have a specific employment support background - you will receive training and ongoing mentoring and tuition.If you have any queries or would like an informal chat, please get in touch as soon as possible.

About us

We 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.

We've supported dozens and dozens of service users secure paid 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

09 September 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-CCG25-321-LB

Job locations

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Newcastle

NE3 3XT

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are excited to be recruiting for a new IPS Employment Specialist to work within the brilliant Secondary Care Mental Health pathways across Newcastle.The role requires building strong relationships with people using Community Treatment Team services, using our evidence-based tools to identify their ambitions and then use employer engagement techniques to gain or retain employment on their behalf.This is an exciting, varied and hugely gratifying role that rewards tenaciousness, creativity and excellent communication skills.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date :9th September2025

Closing date : 23rd September 2025

We welcome your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date :9th September2025

Closing date : 23rd September 2025

We welcome your application.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

Evidence of multi-disciplinary team working.
Proven ability to develop therapeutic partnership with service users and carers.
Evidence of Trust and service values and beliefs in working practice.
Evidence of having unconditional positive regard for individuals experiencing serious mental health.

Desirable

Minimum 2 years' experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar user group
Further relevant post qualifying training
Experience of involving service users/ carers in evaluation/planning and monitoring of services
Educated to degree level or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Understanding of the statutory issues which impact on service users.
Good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment
Awareness of common mental health conditions and how these can impact on an individual.
Local knowledge (or willingness to develop local knowledge)

Desirable

Knowledge of employment law
Knowledge of IPS principles of approach
Knowledge of the benefits system.
Awareness of services, businesses and community provision in local area

Skills and Competencies

Essential

Proven ability to use IT systems
Evidenced ability to work adaptability and flexibly to accommodate need
Expertise in communicating and tailoring communication to individual need

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

Evidence of multi-disciplinary team working.
Proven ability to develop therapeutic partnership with service users and carers.
Evidence of Trust and service values and beliefs in working practice.
Evidence of having unconditional positive regard for individuals experiencing serious mental health.

Desirable

Minimum 2 years' experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar user group
Further relevant post qualifying training
Experience of involving service users/ carers in evaluation/planning and monitoring of services
Educated to degree level or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Understanding of the statutory issues which impact on service users.
Good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment
Awareness of common mental health conditions and how these can impact on an individual.
Local knowledge (or willingness to develop local knowledge)

Desirable

Knowledge of employment law
Knowledge of IPS principles of approach
Knowledge of the benefits system.
Awareness of services, businesses and community provision in local area

Skills and Competencies

Essential

Proven ability to use IT systems
Evidenced ability to work adaptability and flexibly to accommodate need
Expertise in communicating and tailoring communication to individual need

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information