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IPS Employment Specialist
Barrow / South Lakes
£29,777 (25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays, Local Government Pension Scheme)
Full-time, Permanent
The Role:
We are seeking a dedicated and proactive IPS Employment Specialist to support individuals with mental health conditions and other complex barriers to secure and sustain competitive employment. This role follows the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, which integrates employment services with mental health treatment to enable participants to thrive in the workplace.

Duties:

Managing a diverse caseload of clients, including those facing challenges such as mental health conditions, disabilities, substance misuse, criminal histories, and long-term unemployment.

Conducting client-centred assessments to identify strengths, work preferences, skills gaps, and employment goals, ensuring an individualised approach that aligns with the IPS principles.

Developing tailored, person-centred employment plans based on the IPS model, including setting clear, measurable, and achievable SMART goals, while providing consistent progress reviews.

Engaging with local employers to secure competitive, integrated employment opportunities, building strong relationships to advocate for clients’ work preferences and abilities.

Providing ongoing in-work support for up to six months post-placement, ensuring a successful transition and retention in employment by addressing any emerging challenges.

Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, including health professionals, to ensure employment is integrated as part of a holistic recovery plan.

Emphasising client choice and preferences throughout the employment process, empowering individuals to make informed decisions regarding their work options.

Promoting rapid job search strategies, aiming to engage clients with the job market as quickly as possible, rather than prolonged assessments or training periods.

Required Skills:

Proven experience in employment support, demonstrating success in helping individuals with mental health conditions secure and sustain employment, ideally within the IPS model.

Ability to create individualised employment plans and SMART Action Plans that focus on each client’s unique strengths and barriers.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience in employer engagement and securing sustainable job opportunities.

Excellent case management skills, with the ability to coordinate support across multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.

A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Due to the nature of this role, you will be required to complete an online Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

If this sounds like the perfect role for you then please submit your CV.

This vacancy is being handled by Aspire Recruitment. Please be aware we receive a high volume of applications and regularly receive applications from candidates who exceed the job credentials. We will only contact you within the next 14 days if you are selected for interview. Should you apply for this role, we will process your data as detailed in our