IPS – Employment support
For people who need mental health support, getting back into work is a vital step on their recovery journey. The evidence backs this up, but although 90% of people with severe mental illness want to work, only 8% of them are in paid employment.
If you would like to join our team and champion our mission and help people who need employment support to get back into work. You will be supporting clients who are under the care of Secondary Mental Health services to gain and retain paid employment and will be based within a clinical team.
This is an incredibly rewarding role. You'll have the opportunity to transform the lives of clients, to give them hope, direction and support with their recovery journey alongside other key professionals. This is also a challenging role, so you’ll need to be empathetic, adaptable and dedicated to finding clients a role that’s right for them.
As an Employment Specialist, you’ll build a good rapport with your clients, gaining a real understanding of their key skills, their aspirations and their career goals and finding them opportunities to match. You'll also spend time building productive relationships with employers in order to identify and negotiate job opportunities in the hidden labour market.
Successful applicants for this post will receive training in the IPS approach, giving you the tools, you need to provide expert support and advice to clients, staff within your clinical team (e.g. Psychiatrist, Social Workers or Mental Health Nurse), while also building positive relationships with employers, opening doors and changing perceptions around mental health.
We welcome applications from people with personal experience of using mental health services.
Job Summary
To provide support into employment for people with mental health problems including:
· Managing a caseload of clients who wish to return to paid work, enabling them to find or retain employment by liaising with work and training providers, accessing benefits advice and by personally providing on-going support to clients in job search and after gaining employment, in accordance with evidence based supported employment practice such as the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment.
· Link with local employers and voluntary bodies in order to secure employment opportunities within the community
· Pro-actively support and motivate clients in obtaining employment opportunities
· Provide on-going support according to both the employee’s and employer’s needs to enable clients to both gain and retain employment.
Key responsibilities
· To work in partnership with individuals to support them in finding paid employment, or taking steps towards this.
· To develop strong links with other agencies such as voluntary, statutory and businesses in the development of work opportunities for clients.
· To support Community Mental Health Team colleagues with information about work and training opportunities.
· To report on outcome measures for the service.
· To provide monitoring/audit information to the Senior IPS Employment Specialist responsible for Employment Services.
Main duties
· Manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems who wish to work.
· Prepare individuals for employment by assessing each person’s individual vocational needs which might typically include identifying strengths, help with benefits, support networks, travel to work plans, etc.
· Co create employment action plans with the individual, and provide this to the care co-ordinator and other professionals where appropriate.
· Assist individuals in job search and prepare them to apply for employment/education, liaising with colleagues as required e.g. Disability Employment Advisors, Jobcentre Plus, DWP contract providers and local colleges.
· Contact and meet with employers to identify job opportunities for individual clients.
· Have a proactive approach in developing jobs tailored to suit individual clients’ needs by contacting local employers, discussing mutual requirements and negotiating opportunities.
· Accompany job seekers to interviews if required.
· Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual and provide job retention interventions to people at risk of losing their employment, negotiating adjustments to the job role with employers to enable the person to retain their employment.
· Support clients in the workplace by supporting them to learn the job role if necessary, and/or negotiating with employers to adapt the role at the start of employment or if difficulties arise in the workplace.
· Identify any barriers for return to work and develop appropriate strategies to overcome those barriers for clients who wish to gain or retain open employment maintaining a positive attitude to addressing challenges.
· Contribute to the opportunities for an individual’s increased social inclusion by developing partnership working with voluntary sector agencies, and linking with primary care employment and job retention initiatives.
· Promote the Mindful Employer initiative and best practice in mental health and employment within the mental health services and in other organisations in the local area.
· Maintain and develop close links with referrers, care co-ordinators and Community
· Regularly attend Team meetings.
· Complete data monitoring sheets and keep accurate caseload records.
· Maintain high standards of personal development and undertake further training as may be required.
· Undertake regular supervision and annual appraisal.
· Undertake other duties as may reasonably be required by the organisation
Person specification
Qualifications and experience
Essential
· Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
· Experience/understanding of working with people with mental health support needs, or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector
· Experience of working with someone on a one-to-one basis
· Experience of managing multiple tasks at any one time
Desirable
· Trained in IPS approach
· Experience of supporting people to obtain or keep work
· Experience of working within health, social services or voluntary sector with people who have experienced mental health problems.
· Experience of working assertively to influence decision makers
· Own personal lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties
· Previous experience of delivering a service using the IPS model is a bonus
· Proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets
Skills and knowledge
Essential
· An understanding of the employment needs, and challenges faced by people who experience mental health difficulties
· Developing a knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs
· Able to use IT systems, databases and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel
· Strong motivational, communication and listening skills
· Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with a range of people
· Good organisational ability
· Natural ability to build close, trusting and productive relationships with people
· Team orientated and able to work collaboratively within a mixed-disciplinary team
· Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote a service
Desirable
· Knowledge of DWP and disability/employment related benefits
· Knowledge of good practice in employment legislation protecting Disability and Equality
Email CV and Cover letter or supporting statement
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About the role
Guided by Nene Park Trust's Business Plan and Fundraising Strategy, the Head of Fundraising will lead and develop a comprehensive fundraising programme across all income streams. You will need to be highly competent at applying to Trusts and Foundations, including Lottery funders - our most lucrative channel for charitable income, whilst also able to drive the growth of our corporate and individual fundraising programmes which are at an exciting stage of development.
As the senior member of the Fundraising Team, you will oversee and lead innovative fundraising campaigns, appeals and events, and build and steward lasting relationships with donors, partners and supporters at local and national levels.
You will lead and manage the Fundraising Team, setting clear objectives, supporting professional development and driving high performance aligned to the Trust's values and culture. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, you will ensure fundraising activity is well-coordinated, compliant and mpactful, helping to secure the income needed to realise the Trust's considerable ambitions.
Key areas of work:
Fundraising Strategy and Planning
- Lead the delivery of the Trust's Fundraising Strategy, devising and managing an annual work programme that covers a wide range of fundraising opportunities, maintains diverse and sustainable income streams, and builds the organisation's voluntary income capacity to meet its strategic aims and objectives.
- Initiate, manage and coordinate major project-based fundraising campaigns, events and other activities in support of the Trust's Business Plan.
- Monitor best practice among close competitors and the wider charity sector to ensure the Trust's approach to fundraising is coherent and delivering the required impact.
- Ensure that all fundraising activity is responsible, delivery-focused and compliant with relevant charity and statutory legislation, fundraising regulations and recognised codes of practice.
Trusts, Foundations and Statutory Funding
- Lead the development and submission of grant applications to charitable trusts, foundations and statutory/public bodies to support standalone projects, capital purchases and core cost recovery.
- Help develop cases for support, business cases and budgets for projects and activities, and support project leads to monitor and control work programmes and expenditure.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting to funders and other stakeholders in line with grant conditions.
- Identify funding information sources and carry out in-depth research on funding opportunities.
Corporate Fundraising and Partnerships
- Build relationships through networking with local and national organisations to attract sponsorship, corporate donations and other partnership opportunities.
- Lead the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate supporters and donors in collaboration with the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and Trustees.
- Develop strong cases for support to present a compelling proposition to corporate partners and sponsors.
Individual and Community Fundraising
- Oversee and support the team to raise money from individuals, including community fundraising, regular giving, in memoriam giving and membership.
- Plan and coordinate the stewardship of individual supporters and develop the donor journey, including the provision of NPT membership.
- Manage a schedule of regular appeals and campaigns to supporters through a variety of communication channels.
- Utilise fundraising and marketing tools, such as online donation platforms, crowdfunding and mailshots, to encourage donations and other forms of giving.
- Develop and implement fundraising events and supporter engagement activities within the Park and elsewhere.
- Subject to strategic priorities, develop the potential for major donor and legacy fundraising.
Supporter Relations and Data
- With support from colleagues, maintain and develop the Trust's CRM system to underpin effective individual and corporate supporter management.
- Ensure the fundraising function remains compliant with all relevant data protection laws and fundraising regulations at all times.
- Manage and oversee fundraising budgets responsibly and in line with the Trust's financial policies and procedures.
- Contribute to reporting on the Trust's fundraising performance, providing regular and accurate updates to the Chief Executive and Trustees.
Team Leadership and Management
- Provide clear, values-based leadership to the Fundraising Team, creating an environment where people can bring their best to the Trust.
- Effectively manage and support staff through regular meetings, setting and reviewing work programmes and objectives, annual performance reviews, and identifying training and professional development needs.
- Build strong working relationships with colleagues across the organisation to engage their support for fundraising initiatives.
Knowledge, skills and expierence
- Degree level qualification or equivalent experience, with evidence of recent and ongoing professional development relevant to fundraising
- Extensive experience of fundraising across multiple income streams, including writing successful applications to charitable trusts, foundations, Lottery and statutory funders
- Demonstrable experience of building and implementing individual giving and corporate fundraising programmes
- Track record of securing corporate partnerships, sponsorship and grants
- Experience of creating and implementing a successful fundraising strategy that has significantly increased revenues
- Experience of leading and line managing a fundraising team, motivating individuals to achieve their potential
- Experience of compiling and overseeing budgets for projects, taking into consideration funders' requirements
- Familiarity with CRM software, databases and MS Office
- Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to write compelling, persuasive funding applications and cases for support
- Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to present confidently to donors, funders and partners
- Strong financial acumen, with the ability to work within agreed budgets and maximise return on investment
- Ability to collate and analyse data to produce informative reports for funders and internal stakeholders
- Strategic thinker with creativity and an entrepreneurial attitude towards fundraising
- Self-motivated, proactive and resilient, particularly when faced with setbacks
- A collaborative team player who inspires and supports colleagues
- Calm under pressure with the ability to deliver high-quality work to deadlines
- An appreciation of parks and countryside and the outcomes they deliver for environment, health, education and social cohesion
- Ability to attend events and other activities outside of normal working hours
Why Nene Park Trust?
As Gold accredited Investors in People, we recognise the high level of service we deliver is dependent upon our excellent staff team. That's why we're pleased to offer an extensive rewards package to recognise employees' commitment to the Trust. You can find out more about the benefits of working with us on our website.
More information and how to apply
Please visit the Nene Park Trust website to view the full recruitment pack and apply for this role. Completed application forms should be submitted by 12:00 noon on Monday 3rd August.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Community Fundraising Assistant - North
Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?
Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.
After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!
It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraising Assistant - North, to join our Community and Digital Fundraising team.
- Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
- Are you able to provide friendly and professional support to fundraisers and supporters?
- Do you have experience in supporting events or community activities?
- Do you live in either Scotland, North East England, North West England or the East Midlands?
Have you answered Yes to these questions?
Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?
Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack which is included within this advert.
If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application. We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!
We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process. Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.
We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
To find a cure for all types of brain tumours To increase the UK investment in brain tumour research
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.