IPS Employment Specialist
Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers and find meaningful, lasting work? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a respected organisation making a real difference across Greater Manchester. As an Employment Specialist, you’ll work with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, helping them build confidence, gain new skills, and achieve sustainable employment through the proven Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach.
We’re looking for someone with a real belief in people’s potential—a confident communicator who can inspire, motivate, and build trust. You’ll bring experience in employment support, guidance, or employer engagement, and ideally have worked with people facing health or wellbeing barriers.
Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers and find meaningful, lasting work? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a respected organisation making a real difference across Greater Manchester. As an Employment Specialist, you’ll work with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, helping them build confidence, gain new skills, and achieve sustainable employment through the proven Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach.
Main Purpose
You’ll manage a manageable caseload of motivated clients, providing tailored, one-to-one support that helps them prepare for and secure work that suits their skills, interests, and aspirations. Your day-to-day will include everything from helping people prepare CVs and practice for interviews, to engaging directly with local employers to create job opportunities that truly fit.
Working closely with mental health services and community organisations, you’ll build strong relationships to ensure each participant receives holistic, person-centred support. Once employment is secured, you’ll continue to offer guidance and encouragement—ensuring both client and employer have the support needed for long-term success.
Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of around 24 clients motivated to start or return to work, using the IPS approach to help overcome barriers related to work, skills, health, and personal circumstances, leading to sustainable employment.
- Build relationships with local employers to negotiate job opportunities that align with clients' strengths, needs, and preferences.
- Develop partnerships with external agencies, including colleges and training providers, to support clients' employment goals.
- Engage in ongoing learning about disability and mental health, including mandatory training.
- Support clients in identifying skills and aspirations through Vocational Profiles and Action Plans, offering help with job searches, CVs, applications, interviews, and career development.
- Assess and address work-related support needs, such as benefits advice or mental health disclosures.
- Proactively source job opportunities through tailored searches and employer outreach, including hidden vacancies.
- Provide education and support to employers, including negotiating adjustments, return to work strategies, and ongoing contact to ensure job retention.
You’ll also need:
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
- Confidence working towards targets in a supportive environment
- The ability to manage your time effectively and work independently
- A warm, professional approach with a genuine passion for inclusion and empowerment
If you’ve worked in employability, careers advice, health, or community outreach, this could be the perfect next step for you.
Does this post interest you? Apply today
Manchester
North West
Permanent Full Time
£25,000 to £29,000 (dependent on experience)
Annually
