Job summary
IPS Employment Specialist
Please note: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. "Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."
As such, if you don't meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre-Screening Immigration section of your application form.
Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).
For further info please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK
We have an exciting opportunity for 2 full time( 37.5 hours ) and one part time ( 20 hours) Employment Specialists to join our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Services Team in Milton Keynes. This role focuses on supporting people with severe mental health conditions into paid employment.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking individuals who have experience managing a caseload and supporting people into work. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, organised, and demonstrate excellent time-management skills. We are looking for someone with the right values and attributes, including a strong belief that anyone with a mental health condition can work, the initiative to work independently, a commitment to effective teamwork and the ability to work within an evidence-based model meeting key performance indicators
In this role, you will actively promote employment and raise expectations that people using mental health services can secure and sustain paid work. You will work towards individual and team targets and will receive support from an Employment Team Leader, a clinical supervisor, and local peers.
The post requires significant community-based work, providing direct support to clients, developing job opportunities through the hidden labour market, and building strong networks with local agencies and employers.
About us
Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model you'll be:Supporting and motivating individuals with mental health conditions to access and sustain paid employment. Supporting the clients through Vocational profiling, CV production, application support, interview techniques, assessing the financial implications of work, negating reasonable adjustments and managing their health at work. It will involve sourcing job opportunities for your clients through regular contact with local employers within the community breaking down the barriers for our clients
Working for Central North West London NHS Trust
You will also be part of the Trust-wide Employment Services Team which comprises of over 40 people and is rapidly growing
You will receive a number of staff benefits working for CNWL Trust, this includes an attractive pension scheme, a range of staff networks, travel discounts, employee assistance programme and discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide.
This role is an excellent opportunity to start a long-term career within the mental health sector, develop your skills and a gateway to the vast number of opportunities within CNWL.
Apply today to become an IPS Employment Specialist and make a real difference!
Please note: Salary can only be negotiated where there is a minimum of 2 years experience within employment support.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Who are we looking for?
Firstly, you will need either a degree-level education or relevant work experience, such as in the Health and Social Care, Education, Human Resources or Employability. Alongside having strong and persuasive communication skills, excellent time management and exceptional organisational skills. Its important to have the ability to initiate and develop relationships with a variety of individuals and be able to engage employers using a variety of methods such as via the telephone or face-to-face in the community.
Having a driving licence and access to a car is essential. This role cannot be carried out remotely. Please read the attached person specification carefully and ensure your application and specifically the supporting statement demonstrates the requirements of the role
Job description
Job responsibilities
Who are we looking for?
Firstly, you will need either a degree-level education or relevant work experience, such as in the Health and Social Care, Education, Human Resources or Employability. Alongside having strong and persuasive communication skills, excellent time management and exceptional organisational skills. Its important to have the ability to initiate and develop relationships with a variety of individuals and be able to engage employers using a variety of methods such as via the telephone or face-to-face in the community.
Having a driving licence and access to a car is essential. This role cannot be carried out remotely. Please read the attached person specification carefully and ensure your application and specifically the supporting statement demonstrates the requirements of the role
Person Specification
Previous experience (paid/unpaid)
Essential
- Experience of working with people on a one-to-one basis within a support setting
- Experience of working within the employability sector or similar role
- Experience of building relationships and communicating with a range of different partners/organisations
Desirable
- Experience of working with individuals with mental ill health
- Experience of working towards key performance indicators and targets
Skills, knowledge and abilities
Essential
- A Good understanding of working within the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Good presentation, negotiation, marketing and negotiation skills
- Ability to initiate and develop relationships with employers and other agencies whilst being astute to their needs.
- Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations / jobs and recruitment practice
- Good word processing/computing skills, basic Excel skills
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Ability to provide vocational assessments and work in collaboration with clients to agree action plans
- An understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and basic employment legislation
- An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental ill health
Desirable
- Understanding of the welfare system particularly universal credit
- Basic coaching skills.
Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics
Essential
- Ability to see solutions rather than problems.
- Driving Licence and vehicle
- Ability to work flexibly and occasionally outside of main office hours
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to a degree level (in any sector) OR equivalent workplace experience, this can include one or more of the below: oExperience within the health and social care sector. oExperience within employment support services
Person Specification
Previous experience (paid/unpaid)
Essential
- Experience of working with people on a one-to-one basis within a support setting
- Experience of working within the employability sector or similar role
- Experience of building relationships and communicating with a range of different partners/organisations
Desirable
- Experience of working with individuals with mental ill health
- Experience of working towards key performance indicators and targets
Skills, knowledge and abilities
Essential
- A Good understanding of working within the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Good presentation, negotiation, marketing and negotiation skills
- Ability to initiate and develop relationships with employers and other agencies whilst being astute to their needs.
- Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations / jobs and recruitment practice
- Good word processing/computing skills, basic Excel skills
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Ability to provide vocational assessments and work in collaboration with clients to agree action plans
- An understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and basic employment legislation
- An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental ill health
Desirable
- Understanding of the welfare system particularly universal credit
- Basic coaching skills.
Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics
Essential
- Ability to see solutions rather than problems.
- Driving Licence and vehicle
- Ability to work flexibly and occasionally outside of main office hours
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to a degree level (in any sector) OR equivalent workplace experience, this can include one or more of the below: oExperience within the health and social care sector. oExperience within employment support services
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.
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
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.
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).
