Job summary
The opportunity to change minds. The power to change lives.
For people who need mental health support, getting back into work is a vital step on their recovery journey. The evidence backs this up, but although 90% of people with severe mental illness want to work, only 8% of them are in paid employment. That's why we're looking for people to join a community mental health team as an Employment Specialist, to champion our mission and help people who need mental health support get back into work.
This is an incredibly rewarding role - you'll have the opportunity to transform the lives of your clients, to give them hope, direction and support their recovery journey. This is also a challenging role, so you'll need to be resilient, empathetic and dedicated to finding clients a role that's right for them. As a people person, you'll build a good rapport with your clients, gaining a real understanding of their key skills, their aspirations and their career goals and finding them opportunities to match. You'll also spend time building productive relationships with employers in order to identify and negotiate job opportunities in the hidden labour market.
Main duties of the job
If you're looking for a career where you can make a positive difference to the lives of people needing mental health support and create a fairer, more inclusive society in a role where no two days are the same, apply today.
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, self-assured and positive individual who would like to help people who have experienced mental ill health into sustainable employment as part of their recovery.
The post-holder will be embedded alongside mental health professionals in community mental health settings, and will support a caseload of up to 25 individuals with all the activities that will help them to gain and retain a paid job.
The post-holder will also be a member of the IPS Employment Team who are embedded in teams across NHFT's adult mental health services, and will be supported by the IPS Team Leader
These roles are based from Campbell House, Northampton, with some home working, some travel countywide, and about 65% of time is spent in community settings.
https://ipsgrow.org.uk/careers/why-work-in-ips/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN13LHcZ0XU&list=PLrVQaAxyJE3dk0XbY4RSOz5i46v9-wk-E
https://youtu.be/5NytDGJx3bU?list=PLrVQaAxyJE3dk0XbY4RSOz5i46v9-wk-E
About us
We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with a variety of experience for this role - you don't need any specific qualifications or clinical experience. We'll train you on the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) approach, giving you the tools you need to provide expert support and advice to clients, while also building positive relationships with employers, opening doors and changing perceptions around mental health.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.
Person Specification
Application form
Essential
- Well written and structured application form, free of errors
- Compelling reason for applying for this post
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent industry experience (over 2 years).
Desirable
- Certificate in supported employment or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector.
- Experience of helping people to obtain or keep work.
- Experience of instigating and nurturing on-going relationships with other organisations
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with mental health conditions into vocational/employment activities
Skills
Essential
- Good marketing skills for promoting service to employers, service users and staff.
- Verbal communication skills
- Time management and organisational skills
- IT skills - MS Word, Excel and using internet for research
Desirable
- Basic counselling skills.
- Basic motivational interviewing skills
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the principles and practices of supported employment
- An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems. (mainly at interview)
Desirable
- An understanding of the principals and practices of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. (mainly at interview)
- An understanding of the Equality Act 2010.
- Experience and knowledge of the benefits agency and all disability/employment related benefits.
Abilities
Essential
- An ability and confidence to initiate and develop face to face relationships with employers and other agencies whilst being astute to their needs.
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to communicate with a variety of people about difficult matters / in difficult situations.
- Ability to develop good relationships with clients, staff and carers
Other
Desirable
- Direct or indirect experience of mental health problems.
- Experience of applying for work outside of the NHS
Person Specification
Application form
Essential
- Well written and structured application form, free of errors
- Compelling reason for applying for this post
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent industry experience (over 2 years).
Desirable
- Certificate in supported employment or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector.
- Experience of helping people to obtain or keep work.
- Experience of instigating and nurturing on-going relationships with other organisations
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with mental health conditions into vocational/employment activities
Skills
Essential
- Good marketing skills for promoting service to employers, service users and staff.
- Verbal communication skills
- Time management and organisational skills
- IT skills - MS Word, Excel and using internet for research
Desirable
- Basic counselling skills.
- Basic motivational interviewing skills
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the principles and practices of supported employment
- An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems. (mainly at interview)
Desirable
- An understanding of the principals and practices of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. (mainly at interview)
- An understanding of the Equality Act 2010.
- Experience and knowledge of the benefits agency and all disability/employment related benefits.
Abilities
Essential
- An ability and confidence to initiate and develop face to face relationships with employers and other agencies whilst being astute to their needs.
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to communicate with a variety of people about difficult matters / in difficult situations.
- Ability to develop good relationships with clients, staff and carers
Other
Desirable
- Direct or indirect experience of mental health problems.
- Experience of applying for work outside of the NHS
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.
