Employment specialist jobs

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 a Employment Specialist to play a pivotal role in our Employment Services in Camden.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

To support service users with mental illness, empower and upskill them in job searching and ultimately help them become successful in there job search and empower them and build there confidence in the job market to support there recovery from crisis.

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 experience managing a caseload of up to twenty clients, applying the 8 principles of IPS to support individuals in securing and sustaining employment through both job search activity and employer engagement. You will have proven experience working collaboratively with clinical teams, external agencies, and employers, ensuring a joined up, multidisciplinary approach that integrates employment and mental health support. Strong job sourcing and employer engagement skills are essential, with the ability to identify suitable opportunities, build lasting employer relationships, and support clients into meaningful work.

You will be highly organised, with excellent administrative skills and the ability to manage documentation, monitor KPIs, and meet performance targets such as job outcomes and retention while ensuring compliance with service standards and protocols. A client centred approach is key, providing tailored support to both clients and employers throughout job placement and sustainment, including guidance around benefits and employment transitions. You will be self-motivated, adaptable, and committed to professional development, with strong time management skills, professional boundaries, and the flexibility to work effectively across community and clinical settings.

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.

Leeds Mind promotes positive mental health and wellbeing and provides help and support to anyone who needs it in and around Leeds.  We have faith and optimism in our clients and so the services we deliver are built around their needs. We support the people of Leeds to discover their own resources to ‘recover’ from periods of poor mental health, and to live life independently with their mental health condition. 

Our values of Being Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected, and Resourceful are pivotal to the work we do.

Belonging at Leeds Mind

Leeds Mind is committed to creating an inclusive environment – equity, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything that we do.

We are committed to ensuring that our colleagues, volunteers and people who access our services feel a sense of belonging at Leeds Mind that gives them the confidence to share their unique perspectives and experience.

By creating an inclusive environment that fosters belonging, we aspire to attract colleagues and volunteers who offer diversity of experience and thought. We believe this will ultimately improve the service we provide as well as the employee and volunteer experience.

To find out more about how we are developing this you can visit our website.

Our Service

Employment is a key part of mental health recovery. Our employment services are delivered in line with the IPS model, supporting people with mental health challenges to retain paid employment in line with their aspirations. IPS is delivered in close partnership with NHS mental health services, employers, commissioners and the wider system.

Due to receiving new funding we are excited to expand our WorkPlace Leeds service to develop our existing support in the community.

The Role

To provide an evidence-based IPS employment support service, delivered in a trauma‑informed, person‑centred and inclusive way, in line with Leeds Mind values and IPS fidelity standards.

You will be required to manage a caseload of clients who have experienced mental health difficulties and who are either unemployed or seeking to return to current employment following long term absence. You will be expected to deliver the IPS approach (according to the key principles of IPS). You will work with all relevant stakeholders, including employers, to support the client to gain and retain paid employment. 

We encourage all interested candidates to watch an introductory video which describes the impact of being an IPS Employment Specialist. You can find this link on the job advert attached.

Essential Skills and Experience:

· Experience of working directly with individuals who face complex barriers, using a person‑centred, strengths‑based and non‑judgemental approach.

· Able to manage a varied caseload, support people to find, return to or stay in work, and work towards agreed outcomes in a performance‑focused environment.

· Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with clients, employers and partner professionals, and communicate clearly, empathetically and professionally.

· Willing and able to proactively approach employers, promote inclusive employment, and support workplaces to understand mental health and reasonable adjustments.

· Able to prioritise workload, maintain accurate records using digital systems, work within safeguarding and GDPR requirements, and engage with supervision and feedback.

· Demonstrates a commitment to Leeds Mind values, inclusive and trauma‑informed practice, partnership working, and ongoing learning (including completing IPS training and competency assessment).

Hours – 37 hours per week (we are unable to offer part time hours unfortunately but may be able to accommodate flexible working)

Selection process will include a telephone screening and assessment centre.

Location: The role is predominantly community-based but you will also attend meetings at Clarence House, Clarence Road, LS18 4LB.

Successful candidates will be required to undertake a right to work in the UK check as well as an enhanced DBS check.  At Leeds Mind, we've made significant progress in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in recent years, resulting in a genuinely diverse team. We are committed to maintaining strong representation in our workforce and always encourage applications from LGBTQIA+, culturally diverse, neurodivergent, and disabled individuals.   

Reg charity number: 1007625