Ips employment specialist jobs
Rethink have an exciting opportunity to work for us delivering the new Connect to Work Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programme within County Durham. We are looking for an Employment Specialist to support individuals with health conditions, mental health difficulties, a disability or complex barriers to employment to gain, retain, or return to employment, following the IPS principles. You will also engage with and support local employers to enable work to be sustainable for individuals and by bridging workforce needs with local people. The roles will involve travelling around your allocated area to meet individuals in need of support offering a person centred approach and engaging with local employers who have workforce vacancies. You will work closely with and within healthcare settings and as part of a wider partnership of organisations to deliver the programme across the region.
Connect to Work is part of the National Get Britain Working strategy which is a new government funded programme. Within County Durham the initial programme is based upon the IPS model which looks to support people who would like to gain employment by delivering tailored support to move into the right job quickly and support to maintain employment.
The available role is a part time post (0.5 FTE – 17.5 hours per week) with days and times to be worked open to discussion and agreement with the successful candidate. This post is for a fixed term until 31st March 2028, with the possibility of an additional 2 year extension once funding is confirmed. There may also be the option to increase working hours as the programme progresses and referrals increase. A Driving licence and car are essential to carry out this role.
To Apply please fill out the application questions and upload your up to date CV detailing your knowledge, experience and reason for applying.
We’re Rethink Mental Illness and no matter how bad things are, we can help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for an Employment Specialist to play a pivotal role in our Connect to work Service in Hounslow.
Sounds great, what will I be doing?
To work with clients with more serious mental illness, you will need to be comfortable supporting people who have experienced / are experiencing serious mental health challenges, as well as possibly other serious difficulties in their lives. Although you will receive full training and support, it's important you are aware of the potential impact this may have on your own mental wellbeing.
What do I need to bring with me?
You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.
You will bring strong experience and understanding of mental health and employment support, with the ability to help individuals find, return to, or sustain mainstream employment. Experience within health or social care settings is essential, alongside knowledge of employment models such as IPS and a commitment to employment retention and fidelity principles. You will have excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, able to work confidently with clients, partners, and external agencies both verbally and in writing, and build effective local partnerships.
Strong organisational and administrative skills are required, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records using Microsoft applications and databases. You will demonstrate a clear commitment to professional standards, including Health & Safety, Data Protection, Equality & Diversity, and employment law, and be willing to travel locally and engage in continuous professional development. A positive, person-centred, and empathetic approach is essential, along with resilience, self-motivation, and a strong belief in the role employment plays in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
Interview Steps
We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.
- Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
- Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.
Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.
We are a disability confident employer
Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.
Safeguarding Statement
Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.
Important Information for Candidates
If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.
We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.