Job summary
To provide an effective IPS employment service for people with severe and enduring mental health conditions who want to work.To work as part of a multi-disciplinary mental health team, working alongside other mental health and social care professionals, providing joined-up mental health care.To develop partnerships with employers, local providers, and services to ensure that the employment support needs of clients are met.To work as part of the Work Well network, sharing knowledge and expertise with a range of other employment professionals across Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
Main duties of the job
Promote the employment service to mental health professionals, service users, and carers to ensure steady referrals.Support clients in identifying job goals, assessing needs, and creating action plans to overcome barriers to work.Deliver personalised one-to-one coaching using various communication methods, including face-to-face, video, phone, email, and text.Engage with local employers to identify suitable job opportunities and placements.Challenge stigma and negative beliefs around mental health and employment.Maintain accurate records, session notes, and outcome evidence using electronic systems.Manage own caseload and time effectively, track progress toward targets, and use supervision for development.Stay informed about labour market trends, training opportunities, welfare changes, and employment law.Follow service policies and procedures, seek guidance when needed, and adapt quickly to changes to maintain quality standards.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provides the UK's widest range of NHS mental health services, including support for substance misuse. We serve over two million people across Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, and Croydon through 230+ inpatient, outpatient, and community services. Each year, we care for over 5,000 inpatients and 45,000 community patients. We also deliver 50+ specialist services across the UK and internationally.
Work Well is a network of 10 employment support services within SLaM, helping people in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark recover through meaningful employment. We believe everyone can work if they want to and should have choice and control over their career path.
Our values are:
Person-centred: Supporting informed career decisions.Empowering: Providing tools for independence.Inspiring: Encouraging long-term career goals.
All staff are expected to uphold confidentiality, equality, health and safety, infection control, safeguarding, and professional standards. We follow NHS codes of conduct and financial procedures. Roles are reviewed regularly to reflect service needs and staff development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Education
Essential
- . Educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge gained through relevant work experience (A).
Desirable
- Training or qualification in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) (A). . .
- Training or qualification in Job Retention Support (A).
- Accredited qualification in coaching or career guidance (A).
Experience
Essential
- . Recent experience of supporting or coaching individuals on a one-to-one basis (in a voluntary role or paid role), verified by an employer reference1 (A).
- . Experience of managing multiple tasks at any one time (A)
Desirable
- Experience of delivering employment advice or coaching to people who are unemployed or have a disability or mental health problem (A).
- Experience of engaging employers to identify job opportunities (A).
- Experience of delivering training courses or workshops in person or online (A).
- Lived experience of mental health problems or caring for someone with a mental health problem (A).
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrates clear understanding of what the Employment Specialist role involves (A, I). .
- Demonstrates an understanding of primary and secondary care health services (A). .
- Demonstrates clear understanding of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model (A)
Desirable
- . Knowledge of mental health conditions and understanding the impact of mental health conditions on employment and the support needs of individuals (A).
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with others clearly (verbally and non-verbally), negotiate, persuade, and influence, and work as part of a team (A, I, T). .
- High standard of written English (A, I, T). .
- Confident using digital technology and proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams (A, I, T). .
- High level of learning agility; adapts positively to change and feedback (A, I, T). .
- Excellent time management; plans and organises own workload independently (A, I, T). .
- Exceptional listening skills; able to perceive and interpret verbal and non-verbal messages (A, I, T).
Desirable
- . Knowledge of mental health conditions and understanding the impact of mental health conditions on employment and the support needs of individuals (A).
Attitude
Essential
- Demonstrates passion for supporting people with mental health problems into work (A, I, T).
- Takes responsibility for own actions and personal development (A, I, T).
Desirable
- Knowledge of mental health conditions and understanding the impact of mental health conditions on employment and the support needs of individuals (A).
Person Specification
Qualifications / Education
Essential
- . Educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge gained through relevant work experience (A).
Desirable
- Training or qualification in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) (A). . .
- Training or qualification in Job Retention Support (A).
- Accredited qualification in coaching or career guidance (A).
Experience
Essential
- . Recent experience of supporting or coaching individuals on a one-to-one basis (in a voluntary role or paid role), verified by an employer reference1 (A).
- . Experience of managing multiple tasks at any one time (A)
Desirable
- Experience of delivering employment advice or coaching to people who are unemployed or have a disability or mental health problem (A).
- Experience of engaging employers to identify job opportunities (A).
- Experience of delivering training courses or workshops in person or online (A).
- Lived experience of mental health problems or caring for someone with a mental health problem (A).
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrates clear understanding of what the Employment Specialist role involves (A, I). .
- Demonstrates an understanding of primary and secondary care health services (A). .
- Demonstrates clear understanding of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model (A)
Desirable
- . Knowledge of mental health conditions and understanding the impact of mental health conditions on employment and the support needs of individuals (A).
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with others clearly (verbally and non-verbally), negotiate, persuade, and influence, and work as part of a team (A, I, T). .
- High standard of written English (A, I, T). .
- Confident using digital technology and proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams (A, I, T). .
- High level of learning agility; adapts positively to change and feedback (A, I, T). .
- Excellent time management; plans and organises own workload independently (A, I, T). .
- Exceptional listening skills; able to perceive and interpret verbal and non-verbal messages (A, I, T).
Desirable
- . Knowledge of mental health conditions and understanding the impact of mental health conditions on employment and the support needs of individuals (A).
Attitude
Essential
- Demonstrates passion for supporting people with mental health problems into work (A, I, T).
- Takes responsibility for own actions and personal development (A, I, T).
Desirable
- Knowledge of mental health conditions and understanding the impact of mental health conditions on employment and the support needs of individuals (A).
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).
