Job summary
3xFull Time-37.5 Hours Per Week
As part of the NHS England
initiative to expand access to evidence-based Individual Placement and Support
(IPS) services, we are delighted to be seeking full-time Employment Specialists to join our IPS services in Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield. For
people who need mental health support, getting back into work is a vital step
on their recovery journey.
You will be joining
established IPS services, which at present are fully integrated into existing
community mental health teams and work as part of the wider multi-disciplinary
team (MDT). The quality of our support across the services is well recognised
with all services achieving the IPS Grow Quality Kite Mark accreditation with
either a Good or Exemplary fidelity rating.
You will be expected to champion the employment agenda,
instilling the belief that people with mental health needs want to work and
with the right support can work; thus, generating referrals to the service.
We welcome people from a
range of backgrounds and with a variety of experience for this role - a
background in employment support, health or social care would be helpful. If
required, we'll train you on the IPS approach, giving you the tools you need to
provide expert support and advice to clients, whilst also building positive
relationships with employers, opening doors and changing perceptions around
mental health.
All employees of the Trust are encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID19 to protect patients
Main duties of the job
This is an
incredibly rewarding role - utilising the IPS model, 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, with your can do attitude,
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 to identify and negotiate job opportunities within
the hidden labour market.
The role
will involve:
*Using a
strengths-based approach, collaboratively formulating employment plans which
will be regularly reviewed and assessed, taking into consideration any
potential barriers to work and identifying any reasonable work adjustments.
*Offering
flexible, regular and individualised support to your caseload of clients, which
may include; benefits counselling, job brokerage, goal setting, CV building,
rapid job searching and support with applications.
*Working to
individual targets, i.e. service access and the number of people supported into
employment.
*Managing
your own time and working with a high level of autonomy; responsible to the
Team Leader via regular supervision and support and accountable to the Service
Manager.
About us
We
are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health
and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,
Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are
the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is
to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this
by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ
staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a
difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourage
and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value
diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being
a foundation Trust means were accountable to our
members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people
(including staff) are members of our Trust.
Join
us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving
the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and
help each year.
We
are committed
to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and
vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this
commitment.
We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
KEY RESULT AREAS:
The postholder will:
- Assess, provide guidance and person centred support to people who have experienced mental health problems in exploring their interest and capacity for employment under the supervision of the team leader.
- Have an individual caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and wish to return to employment using the Individual Placement and Support approach.
- Proactively engage work with employers to negotiate and secure employment opportunities for this client group.
- Work as part of a community mental health team, maintaining positive and integrated relationships, fostering a holistic approach to recovery through employment.
1.1Care/service/function provision:
- The IPS Employment Specialist undertakes comprehensive assessments formulating vocational profiles of the individuals employment needs and abilities, developing an employment action/support plan whilst liaising with the care coordinator.
- To assess individuals work related support needs.
- To offer guidance and support to people in exploring their interest and capacity in employment using the Individual Placement and Support approach.
- To prepare individuals for employment through vocational profiling under supervision of the team leader.
- To provide personalized ongoing support to individuals once they have secured employment and to assist then in sustaining their employment.
- If the service user consents, to review employment with both the service users and the employer.
- To provide education and support to the employer as agreed with the individual. This may include negotiating adjustments and maintaining ongoing contact with the employer.
- To develop relationships with both service users, employers and other organisations that support people to achieve their employment goals whilst being mindful of their needs and priorities.
- Assess for, review and deliver a comprehensive range of HR services around employment needs and difficulties of people who have experienced mental health problems who want to access employment opportunities and want to return to work.
- To create documents/reports in a timely manner.
- To support service users complete application forms and to job search.
1.2 Working as part of a Team:
- The role of the IPS Employment Specialist is integrated into the clinical teams (as allocated) and works along side care coordinators, being responsible for those service users who want to gain employment.
- To meet regularly with care coordinators to coordinate and integrate IPS services into mental health services.
- To feedback information clearly and concisely within multidisclinary team meetings using excellent communication skills.
1.3 Managing Self:
- To manage individual caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems that want to access employment opportunities and want to return to work.
- Ability to complete vocational profiles, plan, support people into paid employment and evaluate progress.
- To prioritize time, monitor and administer own caseload and ensure an appropriately balanced workload in conjunction with the team leader.
- Using effective communication skills, provide and receive complex and sensitive information where persuasive and motivational skills will be required and where there may be barriers to understanding and acceptance when trying to obtain suitable employment.
- The post holder will communicate with service users, carers and families, employers, other agencies, other statutory and non-statutory organisations.
- Present a positive image of the Trust to external agencies.
- Participate in team meetings, reviews and employment meetings as required.
- Expectancy to work alone for significant period away from base.
- Knowledge of risk assessments, dealing with sensitive information and ability to identify potential risks and how to best manage the risks.
- To take a lead on a specific project/development issues when appropriate.
- To audit and evaluate service delivery.
- To evaluate the quality of own (and others if appropriate) work and makes necessary improvements.
- Ability to work creatively and innovatively within agreed time scales.
- Use of excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop rapport with service users, employers and partners.
- Use of excellent literacy skills to a standard that enables you to write reports, assist people filling out application forms and administer your own general correspondence.
- To have the ability to deal sensitively with individuals hopes and aspirations.
To keep accurate records within the multidisciplinary notes and to complete regular statistical returns as required.
1.4 Management Supervision and Support:
- Works within clearly defined occupational policies, seeking advice from manager if required. Work is managed rather than supervised.
- To utilise available research in their practice.
- Demonstrate own professional development to ensure continuing development in order to carry out duties competently and effectively.
- Participate in the Trusts appraisal scheme.
- Ensure all essential training is completed in a timely manner.
- To participate in regular supervision.
- The duties and responsibilities of the post will be undertaken in accordance with the policies, procedures and practices of the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
- Implements policies in own area and makes recommendations regarding the formulation of local guidelines and procedures.
1.5 Financial Responsibility:
Use Trust resources efficiently and suggest efficiency savings to more senior staff.
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
KEY RESULT AREAS:
The postholder will:
- Assess, provide guidance and person centred support to people who have experienced mental health problems in exploring their interest and capacity for employment under the supervision of the team leader.
- Have an individual caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and wish to return to employment using the Individual Placement and Support approach.
- Proactively engage work with employers to negotiate and secure employment opportunities for this client group.
- Work as part of a community mental health team, maintaining positive and integrated relationships, fostering a holistic approach to recovery through employment.
1.1Care/service/function provision:
- The IPS Employment Specialist undertakes comprehensive assessments formulating vocational profiles of the individuals employment needs and abilities, developing an employment action/support plan whilst liaising with the care coordinator.
- To assess individuals work related support needs.
- To offer guidance and support to people in exploring their interest and capacity in employment using the Individual Placement and Support approach.
- To prepare individuals for employment through vocational profiling under supervision of the team leader.
- To provide personalized ongoing support to individuals once they have secured employment and to assist then in sustaining their employment.
- If the service user consents, to review employment with both the service users and the employer.
- To provide education and support to the employer as agreed with the individual. This may include negotiating adjustments and maintaining ongoing contact with the employer.
- To develop relationships with both service users, employers and other organisations that support people to achieve their employment goals whilst being mindful of their needs and priorities.
- Assess for, review and deliver a comprehensive range of HR services around employment needs and difficulties of people who have experienced mental health problems who want to access employment opportunities and want to return to work.
- To create documents/reports in a timely manner.
- To support service users complete application forms and to job search.
1.2 Working as part of a Team:
- The role of the IPS Employment Specialist is integrated into the clinical teams (as allocated) and works along side care coordinators, being responsible for those service users who want to gain employment.
- To meet regularly with care coordinators to coordinate and integrate IPS services into mental health services.
- To feedback information clearly and concisely within multidisclinary team meetings using excellent communication skills.
1.3 Managing Self:
- To manage individual caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems that want to access employment opportunities and want to return to work.
- Ability to complete vocational profiles, plan, support people into paid employment and evaluate progress.
- To prioritize time, monitor and administer own caseload and ensure an appropriately balanced workload in conjunction with the team leader.
- Using effective communication skills, provide and receive complex and sensitive information where persuasive and motivational skills will be required and where there may be barriers to understanding and acceptance when trying to obtain suitable employment.
- The post holder will communicate with service users, carers and families, employers, other agencies, other statutory and non-statutory organisations.
- Present a positive image of the Trust to external agencies.
- Participate in team meetings, reviews and employment meetings as required.
- Expectancy to work alone for significant period away from base.
- Knowledge of risk assessments, dealing with sensitive information and ability to identify potential risks and how to best manage the risks.
- To take a lead on a specific project/development issues when appropriate.
- To audit and evaluate service delivery.
- To evaluate the quality of own (and others if appropriate) work and makes necessary improvements.
- Ability to work creatively and innovatively within agreed time scales.
- Use of excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop rapport with service users, employers and partners.
- Use of excellent literacy skills to a standard that enables you to write reports, assist people filling out application forms and administer your own general correspondence.
- To have the ability to deal sensitively with individuals hopes and aspirations.
To keep accurate records within the multidisciplinary notes and to complete regular statistical returns as required.
1.4 Management Supervision and Support:
- Works within clearly defined occupational policies, seeking advice from manager if required. Work is managed rather than supervised.
- To utilise available research in their practice.
- Demonstrate own professional development to ensure continuing development in order to carry out duties competently and effectively.
- Participate in the Trusts appraisal scheme.
- Ensure all essential training is completed in a timely manner.
- To participate in regular supervision.
- The duties and responsibilities of the post will be undertaken in accordance with the policies, procedures and practices of the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
- Implements policies in own area and makes recommendations regarding the formulation of local guidelines and procedures.
1.5 Financial Responsibility:
Use Trust resources efficiently and suggest efficiency savings to more senior staff.
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a subject relevant to the role or able to demonstrate competencies working at degree level.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- An ability to initiate and develop relationships with employers while being aware of their needs
- Ability to build and develop relationships with service users having awareness of their needs to access employment
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Vocational assessment skills
- IT Skills
- Good administrative skills
- Motivational skills
- Use own initiative
- A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability)
- Willingness to work flexible hours according to the demands of the job
Desirable
- Good marketing skills
- Good negotiation skills and persuasive style
Training
Essential
- Coaching or motivational interviewing experience/qualification
Desirable
- Occupational Therapy or Occupational Psychology Training
- IPS Training
- Employer engagement Training
- Counselling or Careers Guidance/equivalent as evidenced by a relevant qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience with health or social services or the voluntary sector, working with people who have experienced mental health problems and related employment difficulties
Desirable
- Personal lived experience of mental health problems
Special Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems and related barriers to employment
- An understanding of the Principles and practice of Individual Placement and Support
- An understanding of Employer Engagement and strategies
- Understanding of Recovery principles
- A working knowledge of Human Resources good practice and Employment legislation in relation to supporting people with mental health needs in the workplace
- Understanding of Welfare Rights/ benefits system
Desirable
- An understanding of applied research methods
- Good presentation skills
Physical Attributes
Essential
- Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a subject relevant to the role or able to demonstrate competencies working at degree level.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- An ability to initiate and develop relationships with employers while being aware of their needs
- Ability to build and develop relationships with service users having awareness of their needs to access employment
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Vocational assessment skills
- IT Skills
- Good administrative skills
- Motivational skills
- Use own initiative
- A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability)
- Willingness to work flexible hours according to the demands of the job
Desirable
- Good marketing skills
- Good negotiation skills and persuasive style
Training
Essential
- Coaching or motivational interviewing experience/qualification
Desirable
- Occupational Therapy or Occupational Psychology Training
- IPS Training
- Employer engagement Training
- Counselling or Careers Guidance/equivalent as evidenced by a relevant qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience with health or social services or the voluntary sector, working with people who have experienced mental health problems and related employment difficulties
Desirable
- Personal lived experience of mental health problems
Special Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems and related barriers to employment
- An understanding of the Principles and practice of Individual Placement and Support
- An understanding of Employer Engagement and strategies
- Understanding of Recovery principles
- A working knowledge of Human Resources good practice and Employment legislation in relation to supporting people with mental health needs in the workplace
- Understanding of Welfare Rights/ benefits system
Desirable
- An understanding of applied research methods
- Good presentation skills
Physical Attributes
Essential
- Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy)
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.
