Oxford Health NHS Trust

IPS Employment Specialist - Oxford

The closing date is 04 December 2025

Job summary

Do you have experience supporting people with mental health problems and working in supported employment services?

Are you seeking a varied new challenge in a supportive and dynamic team?

We are currently looking for an employment specialist to join the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team in Oxfordshire. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team who have been awarded a national Quality Kite Mark.

We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with a variety of experience. If you're resilient, empathic and determined to open doors, challenge prejudice, and champion the skills and talents of individuals, a career in IPS could be for you.

These roles are for those who are passionate and proactive about supporting people who have experienced mental health challenges to live well in the community.

The role of an Employment Specialist in Oxford Health is incredibly dynamic and diverse. One moment you'll be working closely with IPS clients to set goals, refining their CVs, or practising interview techniques, the next, you'll be out in the local community approaching potential employers and discussing roles and job flexibility.

Main duties of the job

You will be working to support people either to gain employment or retain their current employment as part of multi-disciplinary (MDT)team's within the City Of Oxford .

The Employment Specialist's will join an IPS team working under the direction of an IPS team leader to deliver IPS as part of the holistic recovery plan for mental health service users in the community.

You will be required to manage a caseload of up to 20 people at any one time who have experienced mental health problems and who are waiting to either gain new employment or retain their current employment. The Employment Specialist is expected to deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach - for which training will be given.

Working directly with all relevant stakeholders: the service user, Oxford Health staff, partner agencies ,employers and people who have experienced mental health challenges themselves - you will support the service users on your caseload to gain and retain paid employment.

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

  • Excellent opportunities for career progression
  • Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
  • 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
  • NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
  • Competitive pension scheme
  • Lease car scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Mental Health First Aiders
  • Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
  • Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Per annum | Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA7608394

Job locations

The Warneford

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Job description

Job responsibilities

The role of an Employment Specialist in Oxford Health is incredibly dynamic and diverse. One moment youll be working closely with IPS clients to set goals, refining their CVs, or practising interview techniques, the next, youll be out in the local community approaching potential employers and discussing roles and job flexibility.

We pride ourselves in being a supportive team within a great organisation If you are passionate, creative, solution focused, good at building hopeful relationships and growing trust, a career in IPS could be a varied and rewarding role for you.

You will work with the IPS team leaders and other IPS Employment specialists to assist in the development of the wider service across the county.

Please note, interviews for this role will likely be after the Christmas period.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role of an Employment Specialist in Oxford Health is incredibly dynamic and diverse. One moment youll be working closely with IPS clients to set goals, refining their CVs, or practising interview techniques, the next, youll be out in the local community approaching potential employers and discussing roles and job flexibility.

We pride ourselves in being a supportive team within a great organisation If you are passionate, creative, solution focused, good at building hopeful relationships and growing trust, a career in IPS could be a varied and rewarding role for you.

You will work with the IPS team leaders and other IPS Employment specialists to assist in the development of the wider service across the county.

Please note, interviews for this role will likely be after the Christmas period.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level or equivalent (vocational experience/training/ or other qualifications

Desirable

  • Trained in IPS Model
  • Mental Health first Aid or similar

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a Full Driving license and have access to a car

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in supported employment service and/or equivalent experience.
  • Experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar service user group

Desirable

  • Experience of partnership working negotiation and liaison work with other agencies

Qualifications

Essential

  • Able to use IT and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies, and legislation in relation to employment
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level or equivalent (vocational experience/training/ or other qualifications

Desirable

  • Trained in IPS Model
  • Mental Health first Aid or similar

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a Full Driving license and have access to a car

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in supported employment service and/or equivalent experience.
  • Experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar service user group

Desirable

  • Experience of partnership working negotiation and liaison work with other agencies

Qualifications

Essential

  • Able to use IT and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies, and legislation in relation to employment

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

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

The Warneford

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

The Warneford

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operational Service Manager

Shelley Monaghan

shelley.monaghan@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

07500785061

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Per annum | Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA7608394

Job locations

The Warneford

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Oxford Health NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)