Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support)

Opportunity to set up a new IPS Services in Walsall.

At Change Grow Live, our commitment to making a difference in the lives of our Service Users is unwavering. We provide support, respect, and a safe environment, tailoring our approach to each individual's needs to find the best treatment and care options.

Guided by our core values of being open, being compassionate, and being bold, our team embodies these principles daily, striving to empower individuals to reshape their lives, foster personal growth, and embrace life to its fullest.

Embark on a Journey with IPS Employment Specialists at The Beacon, Walsall Change Grow Live

We are looking for dedicated individuals eager to be part of this venture.

You will play a vital role within our diverse multidisciplinary team, contributing significantly to the employment element of delivery within a recovery-oriented intervention service. Our collective commitment is to offer comprehensive support, medical interventions, and specialised employment assistance to those accessing our service.

Rest assured, thorough training and continuous support from our IPS national coordinator who will be readily available to you.

The Beacon, Walsall team are a dedicated, multi-disciplinary group of professionals, including experienced managers, committed Specialist Doctors, dedicated NMPS, empathetic Nurses, devoted recovery staff, outstanding peer mentors, and incredible volunteers. Our collective commitment is to offer comprehensive support, medical interventions, and specialised employment assistance to those accessing our service.

A requirement of this role would be to support the delivery of this IPS service and will require you to travel to other locations across Walsall, therefore, an essential car user applies for this post., Managing up to 25 clients undergoing structured substance use treatment, facilitating their motivation for work.
Implementing the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) methodology, providing necessary training.
Engaging clients to identify work skills, goals, and aspirations, and developing tailored job search plans.
Assisting with job search, CV creation, applications, interviews, and career development, including targeted employer interactions.
Creating In-Work Support Plans to address work-related client needs, including benefits and health-related advice for employment sustainability.
Participating in weekly clinical team meetings, fostering relationships, and encouraging client referrals to the IPS service.
Curating job opportunities through customised searches and employer liaison to secure both advertised and hidden job placements.
Offering ongoing support, effective monitoring, and guidance post-employment to ensure job sustainability.

To excel in this role, having some of the following criteria would be beneficial:

Prior employment placement experience.
Training in the IPS approach.
Strong communication skills for effective relationship building
Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services Sector Qualification or QCF in Advice & Guidance (Level 3).
Experience or understanding of working with individuals needing substance use support or similar client groups.
Familiarity with employment services addressing labour market exclusion.
Excellent motivational, communication, and attentive listening skills.
Outstanding interpersonal abilities with a knack for building rapport.
Non-judgmental, trustworthy, and empathetic approach

Salary: £29,093.39 - £31,529.41 Based on full time, Pro Rata(dependent on experience)
Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Contract Type: Fixed Term until 30th April 2025

Service Overview:

IPS forms a fundamental commitment in the Government's Drug Strategy and will be implemented in all treatment services in England. This evidence-based employment support model helps service users secure preference-led paid work, proven to be more effective than any other form of employment support.

The Beacon, Walsall IPS team offer embedded IPS support within structured treatment services.

Roles and Responsibilities:

You'll undergo comprehensive IPS training under our national lead and manage a caseload of service users motivated to seek paid work within structured treatment. Employment Specialists play a crucial role in service integration, promoting IPS, and nurturing relationships with treatment service staff., 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) increasing by 1 day per year for the first 5 years.
Paid 'Wellness' hour weekly.
'Wellness' hub and Employee Assist Programme.
Contributory pension scheme.
Varied benefits incl. shopping, cinema, and holiday discounts.
Supportive team, training, career progression opportunities.
Competitive rates of pay, free eye tests, product discounts.
Generous refer a friend voucher scheme.