Job Role: Connect to Work / IPS Employment Specialist
Location: County Durham (Community-Based)
Base Location: Bishop Auckland (travel throughout County Durham and surrounding communities required)
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Hours: 35 hours per week
Role Overview
We are recruiting an enthusiastic and driven Connect to Work / IPS Employment Specialist to join an established supported employment team delivering high-quality employment support across County Durham.
As a Connect to Work / IPS Employment Specialist, you will support individuals with health conditions, disabilities, mental health challenges and other complex barriers to secure and sustain meaningful employment through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.
Working within local communities, you will build strong relationships with participants, employers, health professionals and referral partners to create personalised pathways into sustainable employment. You will focus on individual strengths, aspirations and capabilities, helping people overcome barriers while promoting recovery, independence and social inclusion.
This is an excellent opportunity for somebody with employability, welfare-to-work, supported employment, mental health, community support or recruitment experience who is passionate about changing lives through employment.
Key Responsibilities
Manage a caseload of up to 25 participants, providing tailored employment support and guidance throughout their employment journey.
Build positive, trusting relationships that encourage engagement, motivation and long-term progression.
Complete vocational profiles to identify strengths, aspirations, skills, experience and support needs.
Develop and deliver personalised employment action plans that support individual goals and ambitions.
Provide one-to-one support to help participants overcome employment, health and wellbeing barriers.
Support participants with CV writing, job applications, interview preparation, job searching and career planning activities.
Match individuals to suitable vacancies aligned to their goals, preferences, skills and abilities.
Deliver ongoing in-work support to improve retention, confidence and career progression.
Work towards agreed job outcome, sustainment and performance targets.
Develop strong relationships with local employers across a range of sectors and industries.
Identify opportunities within both advertised and hidden labour markets.
Promote inclusive recruitment practices, workplace adjustments and disability awareness.
Negotiate employment opportunities that meet participant aspirations and employer requirements.
Provide advice and support to employers to maximise successful job outcomes and sustainment.
Work collaboratively with health professionals, mental health services, community organisations, referral agencies and training providers.
Attend partnership meetings and contribute to integrated support plans where appropriate.
Develop referral pathways and raise awareness of the service across local communities.
Maintain accurate records, management information and participant documentation.
Monitor progress, review support plans and ensure compliance with IPS fidelity principles.
Work within safeguarding, data protection, quality assurance and organisational policies at all times.
Essential Criteria
Experience supporting individuals into employment, education or sustainable career progression.
Strong understanding of person-centred support and employment-focused interventions.
Experience managing a caseload and working towards performance targets.
Ability to build effective relationships with employers, stakeholders and community partners.
Excellent communication, coaching, organisational and time management skills.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and adapt to changing needs.
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use.
Desirable Criteria
Experience within IPS, Supported Employment, Employability, Welfare-to-Work, Recruitment or Community Support Services.
Knowledge of mental health recovery approaches, disability inclusion and workplace adjustments.
Understanding of benefits, employment-related legislation and local labour market opportunities.
Additional Information
Community-based role covering County Durham.
Base location in Bishop Auckland.
Extensive local travel required as part of service delivery.
Enhanced DBS check required.
Mileage and business travel expenses available in line with organisational policy.
Flexible approach required to meet participant and employer needs
