Preston and South Cumbria Region | Blackpool Council
Permanent contract
Do you want to be part of a friendly and dynamic team whilst making a genuine difference in transforming someone’s life? With on-the-job training, becoming an Employment Specialist is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and support those with severe mental illness (SMI) across the Lancashire and/or South Cumbria regions.
Deadline: 23rd April 2025
* North West
* Full-time
Job overview
To support the exciting expansion of our Individual Placement and Support Service (IPS) across Lancashire and South Cumbria, we are recruiting Employment Specialists to join our friendly team. You must be passionate about developing the service and transforming lives.
We’re looking for Employment Specialists to work predominantly with Primary Care Networks, and travel from those bases will be required to meet clients in community settings.
We are looking for individuals who hold a Level 3 in IAG or equivalent or have a minimum of 2 years demonstrable experience providing employment support, advice, and guidance.
We encourage applications from candidates with lived experience.
Having access to a vehicle to attend appointments is essential for the post.
From the moment you join us, you’ll receive a number of benefits, including:
* Achievable work-life balance through a range of flexible working options
* Annual leave – in addition to public holidays, you will be eligible to take 26 days of annual leave in each financial year, rising to 28 days after five years’ service and 32 days after ten years. Additional leave can be purchased via salary sacrifice
* Generous special leave provisions to help employees deal with caring responsibilities, domestic emergencies, and bereavement
* Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave above the statutory minimum
* Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including access to the e-learning site ‘iPool’
* Regular supervision and support plus annual individual appraisals
* Occupational sick pay scheme and health support
* Outstanding service awards – this annual awards scheme recognises dedicated and outstanding employees!
* A range of travel benefits, such as train season ticket, car sharing, cycling schemes, staff parking, and more.
* Free health MOT at corporate health events held throughout the year
* Free independent, face-to-face counselling and helpline
* Mental Health First Aid support
* A range of employee discounts to national attractions
Role
As an Employment Specialist, you will play a rewarding and vital role in helping clients find meaningful and fulfilling employment that aligns with their career aspirations. You’ll receive the specialist training and support you need to develop your skills but must have strong and persuasive communication skills, excellent time management, and exceptional organisational and administrative skills.
Working with colleagues in Primary Care, you will manage a caseload of clients who have severe mental illness, supporting them to secure suitable paid employment in line with their preferences. Building trusting relationships with a range of health professionals will be an essential part of the role to ensure we receive good quality referrals into the service and to promote recovery through employment.
You will deliver a model of employment support called Individual Placement and Support (IPS), for which full training will be given, providing holistic person-centred support, advice, and guidance.
You must have the ability to initiate and develop relationships with local employers on a regular basis, using a variety of methods including email, telephone, and face-to-face in the community, building positive and meaningful relationships.
Where suitable, you will also be brokering reasonable adjustments and working patterns to help your clients achieve or retain sustainable employment.
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