Employment Specialist - Job Retention

Workways - which is part of Devon Partnership Trust Vocational Rehabilitation Service has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic person to join the Job Retention Service for a part time position (22.5 hours). This will be initially a fixed term position until the end of March 2025. The Job Retention team provide guidance and support for people who are employed, experiencing mental ill health and wanting to have guidance regarding retaining their employment. We are looking for someone with experience of working within the employment arena and who can demonstrate a keen knowledge in this specialist area which covers knowledge of employment law and HR practice, occupational health, working alongside unions and active involvement with employment meetings and liaising with employers., The postholder works as part of the Workways team in line with job retention (JR) evidence based best practice in VRS. The postholder also provides specialised vocational assessment of individuals learning and 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 JR 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 or 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., Communication and Working Relationship Skills

• Develop effective working relationships with a range of other agencies who might be better able to help individuals to achieve their employment goals for example, local colleges, training providers and external supported employment services.
• Liaise regularly with mental health services workers, users and carers groups and other health related agencies over learning and work issues.
• Establish, maintain and nurture employer contacts.
• Promote the benefits of employing and supporting people with mental health issues to employers
• Support employers and mental health workers to enable the person using the service to sustain their position. This will involve regular communication with employers and others to provide advice, guidance and training on how to manage a particular situation.
• Be available on the end of the phone for advice and support to employers and others as required
• Promote and publicise Workways to learning and work providers and the wider community by occasionally giving talks or presentations with a more senior team member.
• Be able to sensitively deal with confidential and complex information regarding an individuals health and employment history.
• Work closely with the person using the service ensuring appropriate, prompt, pro-active and clear communication at all times.
• Following DPT policies, respond to requests for general information regarding mental health and employment, this may be from employers and members of the public
• Keep the Workways team informed of current work to ensure continuity of work at times of absence.
• Work closely with the whole Workways team and cover others work as needed, this may include covering admin and reception duties at times of staff shortages.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
• Following assessment of a new applicant to the service, offer the most relevant interventions in line with the evidence based JR approach.
• Monitor progress with clinical outcomes of own caseload and report monthly to team lead on these to ensure accurate onward reporting.
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
• With support from another team member, prepare, organise and run training for employers, others in learning and work organisations and care staff, about 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 Managing Health at 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.
• Work pro-actively with the person using the service with the ultimate goal of helping them retain paid work or search for alternative employment.
• Provide 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 theirnext 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, or ensure, support in the work or learning environment 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, primary and secondary health care 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 Job Retention principles and practice
• 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
• Be involved in developing local policies
• Be involved in co-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 MH
• Network with peers to maintain professional links across the Trust
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
• Ensure all resources are used 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 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 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.
Mindful Employer Initiative - As directed participate in the Mindful Employer Initiative.

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.,
• Degree in either occupational therapy, careers guidance, Human Resources, vocational rehabilitation or related subject, NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance
• Certificate in Coaching skills, Knowledge of the case management approach to job retention
• Knowledge of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.
• Understanding of mental health conditions
• Understanding of current mental health services
• An understanding of the current research and thinking about vocational rehabilitation services
• 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
• Can demonstrate a Recovery focus
• Committed to people who use the service being able to sustain 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
• Excellent organisational skills, can be relied upon to produce work in a timely manner
• Good self management skills, balance the demands of team working and being an independent practitioner.
• Punctual.
• Mobility throughout the geographical area
• Competent levels of IT skills e.g. Word Processing / Email / Internet Powerpoint / Excel
• Current professional HPCC registration will be required if qualified as an OT
• Commitment to CPD
  
  Our professional responsibility is to reduce the risk of infection to others as far as possible. Getting vaccinated against diseases that can be passed person-to-person in healthcare settings is part of this responsibility. The Trust will provide advice, guidance and support on vaccinations and access to vaccinations where requested., 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