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Job description
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
Application Instructions
Email CV and Cover letter or supporting statement
Organisation
Posted on: 03 July 2026
Closing date: 31 July 2026 at 16:40
Tags: Advice / Information, Employment
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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Kingston upon Thames, Greater London (Hybrid)
£35,000 per year
Full-time
Permanent
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts 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!
Job description
About Working Well Trust
Working Well Trust is a mental health and employment charity in London. All of our projects share the aim of improving the lives of people with mental health support needs, learning disabilities and/or complex issues through training and employment.
We are now recruiting IPS Employment Advisors to join our IPS service to join our Kingston & Sutton team. This is a full-time, permanent role working 35 hours per week, following the principles of the IPS model to support people into paid employment.
What you’ll be doing
If you were working with us, your days would be varied and people-centred. You would manage a caseload of clients with mental health support needs, people experiencing homelessness, and people with offending histories, offering one-to-one support to help them secure and sustain employment that matches their preferences.
You would provide person-centred guidance using the IPS approach (training is provided), helping clients build confidence, prepare for work, and navigate challenges that may arise. A key part of the role involves engaging employers, promoting the value of our service, and identifying suitable job opportunities.
You would work closely with NHS clinical teams, contributing to an integrated approach to recovery through employment. This includes attending team meetings, coordinating support, and maintaining clear, client-led communication. The role also involves working to agreed targets while maintaining a high-quality, supportive service.
What you’ll need
You do not need previous employment support experience. What matters most is that you bring:
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A genuine desire to support people with mental health support needs and/or learning disabilities to achieve their employment goals.
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Motivation to help people from all backgrounds move into meaningful work.
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Confidence speaking with a wide range of people, from clients to employers.
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Strong organisation skills, with the ability to multitask and manage your workload.
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Willingness to learn the IPS model and become confident approaching employers.
We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health, personally or through a close contact.
What we offer
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30 days annual leave plus public holidays (FTE)
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Paid company closed days at the end of the year (FTE)
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Flexible, paid Wellbeing Hour every fortnight (FTE)
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6% employer pension contribution
Working Well Trust is an equal opportunities employer and Confident about Disabilities.
What’s next
Before you apply, please note the following:
-
We actively recruit and carefully review all applications. Due to rapid service expansion, we have onboarded 20 external hires in the last six months.
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To ensure we can best support the people and communities we serve, we progress applications only where candidates provide meaningful answers to the screening questions.
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Career development is real here: in the past year, 10 colleagues have progressed internally into Senior roles, Project Lead, Team Lead, and Operations Manager positions. We value ambition and celebrate progression.
If you are ready to help us build a service that supports people into meaningful work, click Apply to submit your CV and answer the screening questions. Telephone and final interviews will be confirmed.
Previous applicants who have already been assessed through the interview process for this Connect to Work role will not be reconsidered at this stage.
Start your application today and take the next step in a rewarding career.
Application Instructions
Please upload your CV and answer the screening questions, the cover letter is an optional addition. Please make sure you have highlighted in your application how you meet the person specification for this position.
Organisation
Working Well Trust
View profile
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Registered Charity
51 - 100
At Working Well Trust, our mission is to support people experiencing mental health challenges and/or are neurodiverse on their employment journey.
Posted on: 30 June 2026
Closing date: 14 July 2026 at 09:00
Job ref: C2W ES
Tags: Advice / Information, Engagement / Outreach, Recruitment, Wellbeing
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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Thank you!
Bedford (On-site)
£27752.00 - £29583.00 per annum
Full-time
Contract (BBTECH_RESERVED:Text100)
Job description
Victim Support is recruiting for an Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to support victims of domestic abuse, based at Bedford Hospital, with possibility of some hybrid working. This is a full time role on a fixed term contract until 31st March 2027.
Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?
Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?
If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…..
What we offer:
At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:
- Flexible working options including hybrid working
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
- An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
- High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
- Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
- Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
- Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
- Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
- Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression
About the role:
We are looking for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA). This is a full time role on fixed term contract until 31/03/2027. The aim of this role is to support victims of domestic abuse, who are inpatients or outpatients of Bedford Hospital. This role will be part of our other wider specialist services covering Bedfordshire.
As an IDVA you will be:
- Working closely with the safeguarding team and a range of other hospital departments
- Providing a high quality support and advocacy service to victims of domestic abuse.
- Managing a caseload; identifying and assessing risks and needs, providing a tailored crisis intervention service trough individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
- Working with other agencies and advocating on behalf of service users in order to help them access services to keep them safe.
- Working within a multi-agency framework consisting of partners as well as MARAC and other local partnerships to offer a coordinated response to domestic abuse.
- Promoting the service and raise awareness of domestic abuse through the delivery of training
You will need:
- Experience of working in support and advocacy with victims of domestic abuse is advantageous
- To be able to prioritise work and deal with competing or conflicting demands/needs and interests and promote organisation interests and values.
- To ideally hold a SafeLives IDVA accreditation, relevant degree, vocational qualification or relevant experience of delivering a service and working with domestic abuse victim's/service users in a statutory, voluntary or community work setting.
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
About Us:
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.
Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.
At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.
How to apply:
To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.
Organisation
Posted on: 30 June 2026
Closing date: 28 July 2026 at 07:40
Job ref: 6826
Tags: Social / Support Work
Does something look incorrect in this job listing?
Thank you!
Greater London (Hybrid)
Westminster, Greater London
£30,385 per year
Full-time
Permanent or contract (Initially to 31/03/27, ongoing subject to continuation funding)
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!
Job description
SMART is hiring! We are looking for full time Employment Advisers to provide support to people who face barriers to obtaining and/or retaining employment, due to mental ill-health. This includes people looking for work, as well as those who are currently employed but struggling.
We offer a friendly, collaborative, hybrid and integrated work environment in partnership with CNWL’s Talking Therapies service, as well as a pension program, 28 days annual leave (plus public holidays), employee led HR processes and a competitive salary.
Ideally you will: have experience of working with people who have mental health needs/emotional difficulties in an employment setting; proven experience of meeting (or exceeding) outcomes and targets; be knowledgeable about relevant laws and policies relating to employment, disabilities and equal opportunities; have experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams and; be able to liaise with other services and professionals on service users’ behalf.
The initial contract is for 9 months but open to longer term if funding is extended.
Application Instructions
Please send us your CV and a covering letter (no more than 2 pages of A4), covering the ‘experience, skills and abilities’ part of the person specification.
We are working to tight recruitment deadlines so will be interviewing suitable candidates as soon as possible, and may close the job advert before the final deadline of 23:30 on 11th May 2025.
Organisation
Posted on: 26 June 2026
Closing date: 14 July 2026 at 23:30
Job ref: Employment Adviser
Tags: Advice / Information, Advocacy, Employment, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Social / Support Work
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Does something look incorrect in this job listing?
Thank you!
Job description
Victim Support is recruiting for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to support predominately high risk victims of domestic abuse living in Central Bedfordshire. This is a full time role on a fixed term contract until 31/3/27. Hybrid working is available for this role.
Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?
Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?
If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…..
What we offer
At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:
- Flexible working options including hybrid working
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
- An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
- High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
- Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
- Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
- Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
- Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
- Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression
About the role
As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will be supporting victims of domestic abuse, who live in Central Bedfordshire. This role will be part of our other wider specialist services covering Bedfordshire.
As an IDVA you will be:
- Providing a high quality support and advocacy service to victims of domestic abuse.
- Managing a caseload; identifying and assessing risks and needs, providing a tailored crisis intervention service trough individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
- Working with other agencies and advocating on behalf of service users in order to help them access services to keep them safe.
- Working within a multi-agency framework consisting of partners as well as MARAC and other local partnerships to offer a coordinated response to domestic abuse.
- Promoting the service and raise awareness of domestic abuse through the delivery of training
You will need:
- Experience of working in support and advocacy with victims of domestic abuse is advantageous
- To be able to prioritise work and deal with competing or conflicting demands/needs and interests and promote organisation interests and values.
- To ideally hold a SafeLives IDVA accreditation, relevant degree, vocational qualification or relevant experience of delivering a service and working with domestic abuse victim's/service users in a statutory, voluntary or community work setting.
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
About Us
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.
Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.
At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.
How to apply
To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.
Organisation
Posted on: 29 June 2026
Closing date: 27 July 2026 at 15:57
Job ref: 6827
Tags: Social / Support Work
Does something look incorrect in this job listing?
Thank you!
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