IPS Employment Specialist - Medway

The Forward Trust Employment Services Directorate is a fast growing Matrix Standard accredited, Ofsted Good rated, Information, Advice and Guidance, vocational training, skills and employability provider

IPS Employment Specialist *2  Medway Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Service £23,316 upwards

INNOVATIVE PROJECT TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HEALTH NEEDS BACK INTO WORK

Do you understand the importance of work and the vital role it can play in the lives of those with heath conditions or disabilities?

Do you take pride in what you do, and can you think creatively about how different organisations can work together to deliver a better service?

Are you happy to talk with employers and help match people into meaningful work?

If this sounds like you, then you might be ideal for our two IPS Employment Specialist roles.

Our IPS team aims to increase the number of people moving into employment from our specialist Substance Misuse Service in Medway

The role will deliver supported employment to people in community treatment for substance use  using the Individual Placement and Support approach (IPS).

You will manage a caseload of clients of people in structured treatment for drug and/ or alcohol use to assist them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach (for which training will be given); providing person centred advice and guidance to clients, whilst building positive relationships with local employers to enable clients to move into suitable employment.

You will work with the community drug and alcohol treatment service, maintaining positive and integrated relationships, fostering a holistic approach to recovery through employment.

• Some knowledge of IPS 
• We would like you to have experience talking to employers and helping people into work through high quality employability support
• We want great communication skills and the ability to build relationships with everyone from the frontline up to CEO level
• Negotiation skills and commercial acumen
• Drive, passion, and commitment
• Proven ability to build rapport with people and especially understanding issues for people with affected by substance misuse or similar conditions
• Boundless enthusiasm, excellent teamwork, and the ability to work in a target driven environment
• Strong written skills/verbal/ organisational skills

Alongside Simply Health coverage, and a contributory pension scheme to assist employees with their general health and well-being. We offer:

• Training opportunities and career development e.g Employability Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard
• Flexible working 
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (Optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme 
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays 
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter 
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary) 
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

IPS Employment Specialist (Employment Coach)

.• Manage a caseload of around 25 clients in structured treatment for substance use who are motivated to start/return to work.
• Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach for which training will be given.
• Meet and support clients to understand their key skills, aspirations and goals through completing a Vocational Profile and produce an Action Plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment. This includes support with their job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques and career development.
• Deliver high quality end-to-end information, advice and guidance to clients on our employability programmes (aligned to the Matrix and Gatsby Standards).
• Promote and develop the mind-set, emotional intelligence qualities, self-confidence and esteem so that the learners/job seekers succeed in the world of work.
• Coach the clients on a one to one and group basis based on the Forward Trust ES Methodology and Theory of Change
• Introduce clients to a `strengths based’ recruitment approach to succeeding in job interviews.
• Short-list, pre-select and match/submit clients to vacancies/work experience opportunities.
• Arrange interviews for clients where appropriate.
• Assess client support needs related to work which may include benefits/welfare advice, disclosure of mental health symptoms etc, and provide support & guidance.
• Attend weekly clinical team meetings as an embedded IPS practitioner.
• Source job opportunities for clients through tailored job search and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden as well as advertised employment opportunities- in collaboration with the Account Manager/employer engagement team.
• Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy and on-going contact with the employer to ensure job retention.
• Build relationships with colleagues in clinical teams to engage and generate referrals and create collaborative working partnerships with clinical staff (promoting employment as a positive intervention in the recovery journey).
• Once employment has been secured continue to provide quality service through conducting regular visits, effective monitoring and in-work support to clients and employers to help sustain employment.