IPS Employment Specialist - Fixed Term until 31st March 2026
Working hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Location: 8 Carlton Street, Halifax, HX1 2AL
About the role...
Public Health England (PHE) is conducting a national randomised controlled trial of Individual Placement and Support for Alcohol and Drug Dependence (IPS-AD) targeting people who face significant barriers to employment as a result of drug and/or alcohol dependency.
You will be working under the direction of the Senior Employment Specialist to help establish and embed a new and ambitious programme of vocational rehabilitation across Calderdale.
Main duties and responsibilities:
1. Manage a caseload of 25 people in drug and alcohol treatment who wish to return to, or start, paid employment. Clients will be worked with for up to 9 months, plus up to 4 months of in-work support, as specified in the IPS-AD trial protocol.
2. Build effective working relationships with local employers, training providers and colleges to secure employment and education opportunities for people in treatment for substance misuse, including ensuring the service is focused on accessing the ‘hidden’ labour market.
3. Provide job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualised to the interests and uniqueness of the client, following the evidence-based principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
4. Provide ongoing support according to both the employee’s and employer’s needs to enable people who have experienced dependency on drugs and/or alcohol retain employment once secured.
5. Ensuring that people on work experience placements and those job seeking are provided with help and advice to apply for posts in open employment.
6. Promoting the profile of employment and working embedded within the clinical and recovery team to raise expectations around the ability of clients to attain paid work.
About you...
1. Experience of managing a caseload.
2. Experience or an understanding of working with people with substance misuse issues, or similar groups.
3. Able to work independently.
4. The ability to build good relationships with a range of different people.
5. A passion for making a difference to peoples’ lives.
6. A valid driving licence and have access to your own vehicle, is essential for this role.
Who we are...
Waythrough (Formerly Humankind) launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support.
We have almost 200 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 125,000 people.
What can Waythrough (Formerly Humankind) offer you?
1. A rewarding role that allows you to make a tangible impact in your community.
2. Opportunity for professional growth and development in the field of substance misuse and criminal justice.
3. Collaborative and supportive work environment.
4. Generous annual leave entitlement (27 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 32 after 1 years’ service).
5. Annual leave purchase scheme.
6. Enhanced occupational sick pay.
7. Enhanced employer contribution to your workplace pension.
8. Death in service benefit.
9. Free Will writing.
10. Eyecare vouchers.
11. Blue light card discount.
12. Fantastic learning and development opportunities, including free training courses.
13. Work-life balance - flexible working and family-friendly policies.
14. Happy, Healthy You! – our wellbeing offers for our workforce.
15. Employee Assist Programme and Waythrough Support Networks.
Waythrough (Formerly Humankind) is an equal-opportunity employer. If you feel that you would fit with our values & ethos, are passionate about supporting people, but maybe don’t feel you have the experience required, talk to us about your transferrable skills. For the right people, we can provide development to help you to realise your potential. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.
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