Job summary The opportunity to change minds. The power to change lives. For people who need mental health support, returning or retaining employment is a vital step on their recovery journey. Following an increase in funding we are seeking to recruit new Employment Retention Specialists This is an opportunity to offer hands-on support, to give people the tools they need to recover and ultimately, to transform lives. The role will support clients currently accessing The Worcester Neighbourhood Mental Health Service to both gain and retain paid employment, with cover across other sites in south of county. Working within parameters of Job Retention case management and where the principles of IPS overlap the post holder will have autonomy to manage their own caseload of clients, working proactively with clinical colleagues, local employers, and other partners to better the lives of others through sustainable employment. The role is very diverse offering a range of duties from the early stages of engagement with clients to the point of support needs being fulfilled, with everything in-between. The role will require a combination of empathy, resilience, and compassion to aid people in achieving their potential, resolving concerns whilst removing barriers and preconceptions. You will have an interest in working within the employment support sector and knowledge of employment rights, especially in regards job retention work. Main duties of the job As an Employment Retention Specialist, you'll play a vital role in helping people with mental health support needs on their recovery journey. Proactively manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems to aid return to employment and/or resolve concerns within their workplace. Assess and record clients identified Employment Retention needs and liaise with clinicians in the team if necessary. Agree and produce person centred action plans and support clients to achieve their goals. Supporting clients who experience difficulties in the workplace to retain and sustain their employment status. Through the awareness and development of tools such as benefits advice, work adjustments and support plans, strategies, and tools to share personal information. Assist with activities such as producing a well at work plans, return to work plans, requests for reasonable adjustments, liaising with employers, trade unions as well as other existing and/or potential partners to aid in successful resolution of workplace concerns and absences to support sustainable employment Liaise closely with DWP & providers where appropriate. Enhance job sustainment through education, advice & guidance to employers on support needs and negotiating reasonable adjustments and considerations. Attend weekly team meetings both as part of the clinical team & the employment services provision. Proactively support & adhere to IPS principles in relation to Employment Retention support About us At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are working together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Our people (all 4500 of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites. We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work-life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. What we offer; 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours Flexible and agile working opportunities Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support Wide range of supportive staff networks Health and wellbeing opportunities If you would like to know more, please visit our website. Sharing your data - As a data controller we may sometimes need to process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you (optional), to support the Trusts understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust. Date posted 03 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time, Flexible working Reference number C9798-1075 Job locations Studdert Kennedy House Spring Gardens Worcester WR1 2AE Job description Job responsibilities We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with all kinds of life experience, and actively encourage those who have lived experience of mental illness. To be successful in this role we would like you to have: One to one employment support of helping people to obtain or keep education/work Employment Retention support experience An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems. Experience of working with people on a one-to-one basis, offering motivation and support Knowledge of range of resources for helping people to maintain employment when facing ill health difficulties. The ability to build good relationships with a range of different people, from employers to clients. The ability to manage multiple tasks at once. Skills in vocational assessment and in assessing ill health obstacles to returning to work and working with employees to overcome these. Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently. Excellent administrative and organisational skills Data collection experience A passion for making a difference to peoples lives Good mediation skills and persuasive style. An ability to meet the travel requirements of the role. A preparedness to work flexible hours through prior arrangement as the needs of the job dictate (e.g. some evenings For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached. Please note the Trust will not provide sponsorship to work for this role, to apply you must have current right to work in the UK status. Job description Job responsibilities We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with all kinds of life experience, and actively encourage those who have lived experience of mental illness. To be successful in this role we would like you to have: One to one employment support of helping people to obtain or keep education/work Employment Retention support experience An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems. Experience of working with people on a one-to-one basis, offering motivation and support Knowledge of range of resources for helping people to maintain employment when facing ill health difficulties. The ability to build good relationships with a range of different people, from employers to clients. The ability to manage multiple tasks at once. Skills in vocational assessment and in assessing ill health obstacles to returning to work and working with employees to overcome these. Ability to work independently, reliably, and consistently. Excellent administrative and organisational skills Data collection experience A passion for making a difference to peoples lives Good mediation skills and persuasive style. An ability to meet the travel requirements of the role. A preparedness to work flexible hours through prior arrangement as the needs of the job dictate (e.g. some evenings For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached. Please note the Trust will not provide sponsorship to work for this role, to apply you must have current right to work in the UK status. Person Specification Experience Essential Minimum of 1 years experience of working with people who have experienced mental health problems with health, social services, voluntary sector or mainstream educational or employment services Experience of working directly with employers and employees regarding work adjustments for disability/ill health. Of helping people to obtain or keep education/work. Experience of supporting clients on a 1-1 basis. Desirable Experience and knowledge of welfare benefits and all disability/employment related benefits. Personal experience of mental health recovery Experience of carrying out person centre recovery plans Additional Criteria Essential Able to meet the travel requirements of the post. You understand that we will not provide sponsorship to work for this role. Knowledge Essential An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental ill-health. Knowledge of range of resources for helping people to maintain employment when facing ill health difficulties. Understanding of Equality Act (2010) in relation to employment. Awareness and understanding of confidentiality. Ability to initiate and develop relationships with employers whilst being astute to their needs. Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently. Vocational assessment and profiling. Partnership working to reach positive outcomes for clients. Desirable Employment Law and welfare benefits training. Mediation training An understanding of the principle and practice of supported employment. Experience in delivering job retention support as significant part of job role. Skills & Abilities Essential Skills in vocational assessment and in assessing ill health obstacles to returning to work and working with employees to overcome these. Ability to see solutions rather than problems. Able to demonstrate empathy and tenacity when working with a wide range of people including those experiencing mental health challenges. Good mediation skills and persuasive style. Qualifications Essential Education to degree level or equivalent relevant experience. GCSE (Grade A-C) or equivalent in English Language. Willingness to train in Employment Retention. I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer. Desirable Employment Law and welfare benefits training Mediation training Person Specification Experience Essential Minimum of 1 years experience of working with people who have experienced mental health problems with health, social services, voluntary sector or mainstream educational or employment services Experience of working directly with employers and employees regarding work adjustments for disability/ill health. Of helping people to obtain or keep education/work. Experience of supporting clients on a 1-1 basis. Desirable Experience and knowledge of welfare benefits and all disability/employment related benefits. Personal experience of mental health recovery Experience of carrying out person centre recovery plans Additional Criteria Essential Able to meet the travel requirements of the post. You understand that we will not provide sponsorship to work for this role. Knowledge Essential An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental ill-health. Knowledge of range of resources for helping people to maintain employment when facing ill health difficulties. Understanding of Equality Act (2010) in relation to employment. Awareness and understanding of confidentiality. Ability to initiate and develop relationships with employers whilst being astute to their needs. Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently. Vocational assessment and profiling. Partnership working to reach positive outcomes for clients. Desirable Employment Law and welfare benefits training. Mediation training An understanding of the principle and practice of supported employment. Experience in delivering job retention support as significant part of job role. Skills & Abilities Essential Skills in vocational assessment and in assessing ill health obstacles to returning to work and working with employees to overcome these. Ability to see solutions rather than problems. Able to demonstrate empathy and tenacity when working with a wide range of people including those experiencing mental health challenges. Good mediation skills and persuasive style. Qualifications Essential Education to degree level or equivalent relevant experience. GCSE (Grade A-C) or equivalent in English Language. Willingness to train in Employment Retention. I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer. Desirable Employment Law and welfare benefits training Mediation training Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust Address Studdert Kennedy House Spring Gardens Worcester WR1 2AE Employer's website https://www.hacw.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)