Oxford Health NHS Trust

IPS Employment Specialist

The closing date is 19 March 2026

Job summary

We are seeking a new IPS Employment Specialistto join our Buckinghamshire based team.

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic team who have been awarded a national Quality Kite Mark. We are seeking employment specialists to join the service in Buckinghamshire

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 to live well in the community. You will be working to support people either to gain employment or retain their current employment as part of a multi-disciplinary (MDT)team's within across Oxfordshire.

Main duties of the job

The Employment Specialist will join an IPS team working under the direction of an IPS Team Leader to deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model as part of the holistic recovery plan for mental health service users in the community.

This is a community-based role where travel is essential. You will be required to work across various community settings, engaging directly with service users, local employers, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and other key stakeholders to support individuals into sustainable employment.

You will manage a caseload of up to 20 people at any one time who have experienced mental health problems and are seeking to gain new employment or retain their current roles. The Employment Specialist is expected to deliver the IPS model ; full training will be provided.

You will work collaboratively with IPS Team Leaders and fellow IPS Employment Specialists to support the ongoing development of the wider IPS service across the county, while also building and maintaining strong relationships with employers in the local area to create inclusive employment opportunities.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast 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"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

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

267-BM7800386

Job locations

The Whiteleaf Centre

Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG


Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

The ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust is essential for this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

The ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust is essential for this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

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

Experience

Essential

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

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies, and legislation in relation to employment
  • Good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent organisational and communication skills

Experience

Desirable

  • Trained in IPS approach

Experience

Desirable

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

Qualifications

Essential

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

Experience

Essential

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

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies, and legislation in relation to employment
  • Good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent organisational and communication skills

Experience

Desirable

  • Trained in IPS approach

Experience

Desirable

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

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 Whiteleaf Centre

Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

The Whiteleaf Centre

Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

IPS Operational Service Manager

Shelley Monaghan

shelley.monaghan@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

07500785061

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

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

267-BM7800386

Job locations

The Whiteleaf Centre

Bierton Road

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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