IPS Employment Specialist

The Growth Company's Employment team have a new vacancy for an Employment Specialist who will actively engage with individual participants in structured treatment for drug and/ or alcohol, ensuring that through the delivery of a multi-channel, multi-agency, and multi-place service delivery model, the participant is enabled and empowered to successfully complete their personal journey into, and progression within the working environment., To manage a caseload of around 24 clients who are motivated to start/return to work
Working with participants to progress them on their journey towards employment by delivering the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach and overcoming their work, skills health, and personal circumstances barriers to ultimately support participants into sustainable work
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)
Able to support participants with appropriate prioritisation of solutions for personal circumstances, skills, health as well as employability
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 to ensure that all required entry to the recording systems (CRiiS) is accurate and compliant and documentation relating to the participant is completed and maintained in an accurate, compliant, timely and respectful manner
To establish positive and integrated relationships with Clinical teams, employers, and other service providers
Spend time getting to know local employers, to negotiate job opportunities that meet each individual's strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences
Partake in continuous learning about substance use and mental health conditions, their impact, and how they can be managed and undertake mandatory training as required
Meet and support clients to understand their key skills, aspirations, and goals by completing a Vocational Profile and producing 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
Assess client support needs relating to work which may include benefits/welfare advice, disclosure of mental health symptoms, etc., and provide support & guidance
Source job opportunities for clients through tailored job searches and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden as well as advertised employment opportunities
Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy, and ongoing contact with the employer to ensure job retention
Work with employers to promote the service, identify job opportunities, and ensure appropriate strategies are in place to reduce barriers in the workplace - this can include exploring 'job carving' i.e., carving small slices of work from the duties other staff do not have time to complete

Knowledge in relation to the issues affecting individuals with multiple barriers to progressing to employment and sustained employment
Experience in relation to the support agencies that can assist individuals with complex needs (e.g., debt, substance misuse, housing, etc)
Developing knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs
A warm, approachable empathetic style and the ability to establish a rapport and build relationships with customers that support their progression to sustained employment
Skills Required

Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiating skill
Ability to work in a target-driven environment, with a focus on the successful achievement of job outcomes and sustained outcomes
High-level guidance skills, with the ability to deliver one-to-one and group sessions to at least Grade 2 standard
Experience of working with people with multiple and complex needs, including health conditions and disabilities
Experience of working on outreach and lone working
Trained in IPS approach is desirable
Experience/understanding of working with disabled people, or a similar client group within substance use treatment, health, social services, or the voluntary sector is desirable
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone including vulnerable adults and young people, we expect all staff to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to Safer Recruitment Procedures which include a DBS check. This will be conducted by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd) on behalf of GC. Please note that the successful candidate will not be required to pay for this.