Job summary
An exciting opportunity has
arisen to join the Workways Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team to work closely with
the Early Intervention Teams within DPT (STEP). Workways are recruiting an Employment
Specialist staff join the STEP team that covers North/Mid Devon. The Workways
admin base is in Exminster, near Exeter, but day to day work for the post
holder will be based within the Early Intervention Team base. Post holders will work closely with and receive
management and clinical supervision from the established Workways team who are
currently working alongside all adult CMHT teams within DPT. The post holder will be involved
in assisting Early Intervention Team clients to find and receive support while
in paid employment using the evidenced based Individual Placement
&Support (IPS) approach. The post holder will also provide information,
guidance and support to clients who want to progress with education and
training working closely to the IPS priniciples. Experience of
supporting employers and helping people with a health condition (preferably
mental health-related) to find employment are essential to the role.
Main duties of the job
In this role, as an Employment
Specialist, you will be working closing with service users, employers, Job
Centres and other agencies, to deliver high quality, effective employment
support using Individual Placement and Support (IPS), the evidence-based method
of finding work for individuals with significant mental health needs.
You will have the opportunity to
work with a small, friendly team, managing a caseload of no more than 20
service users. IPS focuses on delivering high quality support for individuals
so you will have the chance to work closely with each person on your caseload.
Workways IPS team is a national
leader in the field of employment support, having been a recognised Centre of
Excellence for over a decade. The team is currently rated as Exemplary in its
delivery of IPS by the Centre for Mental Health.
In the field of employment
support you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and practice in a
unique and highly rewarding way, using your existing knowledge of mental health
and social care, and taking this into the rapidly developing national arena of
IPS services.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties of the job
The postholder
works as part of the Workways team in line with the Individual Placement and
Support (IPS) evidence based best practice. The postholder also provides
specialised vocational assessment of individuals work needs. The postholder
will manage a caseload of no more than 20 people (per wte) who are experiencing
mental health problems and wish to enter or remain in employment in line with
IPS principles. Working with people in an individualised way to help them
achieve their own employment goals, the postholder will be pro-active in their
engagement with people on their caseload.The postholder will provide
advice, information and support to the individual and to their employer and
mental health worker. The postholder is responsible for establishing and
maintaining links with relevant organisations, employers and individuals to
enable people who have mental ill health to obtain paid work.
This post may
involve lone working, working away from base frequently and working without
direct supervision.
Communication and Working relationship Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to demonstrate highly developed verbal
communication skills in order to develop on-going relationships with people who
use the service, clinical team workers and employers. Good written
communication skills for example for report writing, assisting people to
complete job applications and letter writing Persistence and perseverance when
engaging with people who use the service and with employers Enthusiasm for and
genuine interest in vocational rehabilitation Excellent all round interpersonal
and networking skills, being able to develop community networks with people who
use the service. Able to approach and work with employers. Able to be
appropriately directive and encouraging to people using the service
Non-judgemental, to appropriately work with people with varying needs,
experiences and backgrounds
Desirable criteria
- Supervisory skills, relates to other team members
and people who use the service Motivational interviewing skills Presentation
skills to be able to present confidently and professionally to, for example,
employers, and other services about Workways Training/facilitation skills, to
run, for example, training for other organisations or recovery courses or
groupwork for people who use the service Arbitration/mediation skills, for
example to be able to mediate with an employer
Analytical & Judgemental Skills
Essential criteria
- Can demonstrate a Recovery focus Committed to
people who use the service being able to find/retain paid work Problem solving
and lateral thinking skills, being able to think on the go, address problems as
they occur and work in a solution focussed way Ability to work on own
initiative, being able to take appropriate decisive action when working with
employers and people who use the service Ability to reflect on and critically
appraise own performance, being aware of own strengths and weaknesses and address
these Professionalism, at all times present self and represent the team in a
professional and appropriate manner and be able to maintain professional
boundaries
Planning and Organisational skills
- Ensure effective use of resources within own work.
- Be responsible for organising and planning own caseload and managing
clinical/non clinical time effectively to fit with service needs and demands
- Working with another team member, prepare, organise and run
training for employers, others in learning and work organisations and care staff about
learning, work and mental health issues.
- As required take a lead in planning and running of recovery
courses and groups for people who use the service such as Preparing For Work.
- Work flexibly to meet individuals needs and
this may require some working out of normal office hours.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment
and Therapy
- At all times work in a recovery-focussed way.
- Manage a caseload of people (of no more than 20 people
per whole time equivalent worker) who have mental health issues and who wish to find paid work or
commence mainstream education
- Work pro-actively with the person using the service with
the ultimate goal of helping them find and retain paid work.
- Provide IPS vocational assessment for individual
applicants to Workways.
- Work with the person using the service to explore their
areas of strength, development needs, barriers to progression, learning and work needs and so
on to draw up a plan of action and
their next best step.
- Co-write all action plans with the person using the
service, then monitor and evaluate these plans in order to measure progress and effectiveness
of all interventions.
- Regularly review the agreed action plan with the person
using the service, seeking to assist them to progress with their vocational goals.
- Provide interventions to assist the individual in problem
solving, confidence building and improving work related skills
- Provide support in the work place for each person using
the service to enable them to have the best
possible chance of succeeding in the position.
- Provide individualised,
on-going support and advice to individuals once they have secured employment
to assist them in sustaining employment.
- Maintain a professional relationship with the
people using the service with VRS staff, with mental health staff, employers
and with particular attention to confidentiality and maintenance of
professional boundaries.
- Plan
and implement recovery courses or groups as required. This involves running
group sessions on topics such as interview techniques, c.v. writing or
assertiveness, for example.
- Be
able to work with people who have additional problems such as learning
difficulties, physical conditions or injuries.
Responsibility
for Policy and Service Development Implementation
- Ensure up to date knowledge of, and adherence to, the Individual
Placement and Support approach, in relation to Early Intervention to helping
people find employment or commence education.
- Keep Workways informed of current VR issues and keep up
to date with examples of evidence based practice and government initiatives and mandates.
- Ensure there is easily accessible written and electronic information
for all the team and people using the service about
learning and work related issues and services.
- Be involved in
developing local policies
- Assist as requested
in producing documents of good practice about the employment of people with
mental health difficulties.
- Increase engagement
of employers through providing support for employers in recruitment &
retention of staff with mental health issues.
- Network
with peers to maintain professional links across the Trust
Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision,
Training, HR Advice and Management
- Provide informal and ad-hoc clinical support and supervision to the
administration team as required
- Supervise students on placement as agreed with service manager.
- Assist with the induction of new staff
Responsibility
for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
- Ensure all resources are used safely, efficiently and effectively,
bringing to the service managers attention any areas where this might be
improved
- May handle small amounts of petty cash on occasion.
- May be a purchase card holder
Responsibility
for Information Resources and Administrative Duties
- Maintain
up to date and accurate statistics, clinical records, service deficits,
training given, outcomes of contact, and any other information needed for the
ongoing evaluation of the service.
- Regularly use IT systems for inputting of
data, e-mailing, internet and word processing.
- Assist
in reviewing the teams administration processes to ensure they are fit for
purpose, raising any concerns with team lead or service manager.
Responsibility
for Research and Development
- Take an active part
in reviewing and developing new working practices in line with current
evidence based practice
- Participate in
staff surveys
- Take an active role
in conducting clinical audits
Freedom
to Act
- In line with
policies and procedures, work under the general supervision of the appointed
supervisor making independent decisions on a day to day basis.
Any
Other Specific Tasks Required
- Using
the Trusts core training requirements and the Workways team development
checklist,
- participate
in a range of learning opportunities to ensure own skills and knowledge are
up to date.
- Have monthly
professional, clinical and managerial supervision of work
- Have
yearly personal development and review meetings and six monthly reviews.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties of the job
The postholder
works as part of the Workways team in line with the Individual Placement and
Support (IPS) evidence based best practice. The postholder also provides
specialised vocational assessment of individuals work needs. The postholder
will manage a caseload of no more than 20 people (per wte) who are experiencing
mental health problems and wish to enter or remain in employment in line with
IPS principles. Working with people in an individualised way to help them
achieve their own employment goals, the postholder will be pro-active in their
engagement with people on their caseload.The postholder will provide
advice, information and support to the individual and to their employer and
mental health worker. The postholder is responsible for establishing and
maintaining links with relevant organisations, employers and individuals to
enable people who have mental ill health to obtain paid work.
This post may
involve lone working, working away from base frequently and working without
direct supervision.
Communication and Working relationship Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to demonstrate highly developed verbal
communication skills in order to develop on-going relationships with people who
use the service, clinical team workers and employers. Good written
communication skills for example for report writing, assisting people to
complete job applications and letter writing Persistence and perseverance when
engaging with people who use the service and with employers Enthusiasm for and
genuine interest in vocational rehabilitation Excellent all round interpersonal
and networking skills, being able to develop community networks with people who
use the service. Able to approach and work with employers. Able to be
appropriately directive and encouraging to people using the service
Non-judgemental, to appropriately work with people with varying needs,
experiences and backgrounds
Desirable criteria
- Supervisory skills, relates to other team members
and people who use the service Motivational interviewing skills Presentation
skills to be able to present confidently and professionally to, for example,
employers, and other services about Workways Training/facilitation skills, to
run, for example, training for other organisations or recovery courses or
groupwork for people who use the service Arbitration/mediation skills, for
example to be able to mediate with an employer
Analytical & Judgemental Skills
Essential criteria
- Can demonstrate a Recovery focus Committed to
people who use the service being able to find/retain paid work Problem solving
and lateral thinking skills, being able to think on the go, address problems as
they occur and work in a solution focussed way Ability to work on own
initiative, being able to take appropriate decisive action when working with
employers and people who use the service Ability to reflect on and critically
appraise own performance, being aware of own strengths and weaknesses and address
these Professionalism, at all times present self and represent the team in a
professional and appropriate manner and be able to maintain professional
boundaries
Planning and Organisational skills
- Ensure effective use of resources within own work.
- Be responsible for organising and planning own caseload and managing
clinical/non clinical time effectively to fit with service needs and demands
- Working with another team member, prepare, organise and run
training for employers, others in learning and work organisations and care staff about
learning, work and mental health issues.
- As required take a lead in planning and running of recovery
courses and groups for people who use the service such as Preparing For Work.
- Work flexibly to meet individuals needs and
this may require some working out of normal office hours.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment
and Therapy
- At all times work in a recovery-focussed way.
- Manage a caseload of people (of no more than 20 people
per whole time equivalent worker) who have mental health issues and who wish to find paid work or
commence mainstream education
- Work pro-actively with the person using the service with
the ultimate goal of helping them find and retain paid work.
- Provide IPS vocational assessment for individual
applicants to Workways.
- Work with the person using the service to explore their
areas of strength, development needs, barriers to progression, learning and work needs and so
on to draw up a plan of action and
their next best step.
- Co-write all action plans with the person using the
service, then monitor and evaluate these plans in order to measure progress and effectiveness
of all interventions.
- Regularly review the agreed action plan with the person
using the service, seeking to assist them to progress with their vocational goals.
- Provide interventions to assist the individual in problem
solving, confidence building and improving work related skills
- Provide support in the work place for each person using
the service to enable them to have the best
possible chance of succeeding in the position.
- Provide individualised,
on-going support and advice to individuals once they have secured employment
to assist them in sustaining employment.
- Maintain a professional relationship with the
people using the service with VRS staff, with mental health staff, employers
and with particular attention to confidentiality and maintenance of
professional boundaries.
- Plan
and implement recovery courses or groups as required. This involves running
group sessions on topics such as interview techniques, c.v. writing or
assertiveness, for example.
- Be
able to work with people who have additional problems such as learning
difficulties, physical conditions or injuries.
Responsibility
for Policy and Service Development Implementation
- Ensure up to date knowledge of, and adherence to, the Individual
Placement and Support approach, in relation to Early Intervention to helping
people find employment or commence education.
- Keep Workways informed of current VR issues and keep up
to date with examples of evidence based practice and government initiatives and mandates.
- Ensure there is easily accessible written and electronic information
for all the team and people using the service about
learning and work related issues and services.
- Be involved in
developing local policies
- Assist as requested
in producing documents of good practice about the employment of people with
mental health difficulties.
- Increase engagement
of employers through providing support for employers in recruitment &
retention of staff with mental health issues.
- Network
with peers to maintain professional links across the Trust
Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision,
Training, HR Advice and Management
- Provide informal and ad-hoc clinical support and supervision to the
administration team as required
- Supervise students on placement as agreed with service manager.
- Assist with the induction of new staff
Responsibility
for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
- Ensure all resources are used safely, efficiently and effectively,
bringing to the service managers attention any areas where this might be
improved
- May handle small amounts of petty cash on occasion.
- May be a purchase card holder
Responsibility
for Information Resources and Administrative Duties
- Maintain
up to date and accurate statistics, clinical records, service deficits,
training given, outcomes of contact, and any other information needed for the
ongoing evaluation of the service.
- Regularly use IT systems for inputting of
data, e-mailing, internet and word processing.
- Assist
in reviewing the teams administration processes to ensure they are fit for
purpose, raising any concerns with team lead or service manager.
Responsibility
for Research and Development
- Take an active part
in reviewing and developing new working practices in line with current
evidence based practice
- Participate in
staff surveys
- Take an active role
in conducting clinical audits
Freedom
to Act
- In line with
policies and procedures, work under the general supervision of the appointed
supervisor making independent decisions on a day to day basis.
Any
Other Specific Tasks Required
- Using
the Trusts core training requirements and the Workways team development
checklist,
- participate
in a range of learning opportunities to ensure own skills and knowledge are
up to date.
- Have monthly
professional, clinical and managerial supervision of work
- Have
yearly personal development and review meetings and six monthly reviews.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of the IPS approach to supported employment in relation to Early Intervention Services
- Knowledge of the employment /education needs and possible difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.
- Understanding of mental health conditions
- Understanding of current mental health services
Desirable
- An understanding of the current research and thinking about vocational rehabilitation services
- Understanding of Recovery principles
- Understanding of practice and principles of risk assessment
- Current awareness of relevant Benefits
- Current awareness of Government employment/training schemes
- Working knowledge of Equality Act
- Working knowledge of employment law
- Good understanding of health and safety at work issues
- Knowledge of groupwork theory
- Some experience of specifically assisting people to find paid employment
- Some experience of working in a mental health and/or employment specialist role.
- Has practised the IPS approach to supported employment
- Experience of working in a range of jobs
- Experience of running groups/delivering training
- Personal experience of mental health issues
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in either occupational therapy, careers guidance, vocational rehabilitation or related subject and / or Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Equivalent experience should demonstrate knowledge, skills, and behaviours aligned with IPS competencies and values: a) Employment Support Experience b) Mental Health or Social Care Experience c) Community Engagement d) Transferable Skills and qualities
Desirable
- NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance
- Certificate in Coaching skills
- Willing to work towards a specific level Vocational Rehabilitation/IPS qualification
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of the IPS approach to supported employment in relation to Early Intervention Services
- Knowledge of the employment /education needs and possible difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.
- Understanding of mental health conditions
- Understanding of current mental health services
Desirable
- An understanding of the current research and thinking about vocational rehabilitation services
- Understanding of Recovery principles
- Understanding of practice and principles of risk assessment
- Current awareness of relevant Benefits
- Current awareness of Government employment/training schemes
- Working knowledge of Equality Act
- Working knowledge of employment law
- Good understanding of health and safety at work issues
- Knowledge of groupwork theory
- Some experience of specifically assisting people to find paid employment
- Some experience of working in a mental health and/or employment specialist role.
- Has practised the IPS approach to supported employment
- Experience of working in a range of jobs
- Experience of running groups/delivering training
- Personal experience of mental health issues
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in either occupational therapy, careers guidance, vocational rehabilitation or related subject and / or Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Equivalent experience should demonstrate knowledge, skills, and behaviours aligned with IPS competencies and values: a) Employment Support Experience b) Mental Health or Social Care Experience c) Community Engagement d) Transferable Skills and qualities
Desirable
- NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance
- Certificate in Coaching skills
- Willing to work towards a specific level Vocational Rehabilitation/IPS qualification
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).
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