Job responsibilities Role Purpose: To assess, provide guidance and support to people who have experienced mental health problems within secondary care services, through exploring their interest and capacity for employment, under the supervision of the team leader. To have an individual caseload of people who wish to return to employment using the Individual Placement and Support approach (IPS) To proactively engage and work with employers to open up and secure employment opportunities for this client group. To provide follow up and in-work support to both the employee and employer (as appropriate) for as long as required To integrate into Community Mental Health Teams to ensure holistic support for those clients returning to paid employment. Role Context: The role of the IPS Employment Specialist is integrated within Community Mental Health Teams and works in partnership with care coordinators and other clinicians/multidisciplinary teams who are responsible for the care and treatment of those service users who want to gain employment. The IPS Employment Specialist undertakes in-depth assessments and completes vocational profiles of the individuals employment needs and abilities, developing an employment action plan whilst liaising with the care coordinator/ Lead clinician. IPS is evidence based, clearly defined and outcomes are measured against fidelity to the model. IPS Service and Employment Specialists are required to meet ICG KPis supported by the Team leader. Key Accountabilities: To manage an individual caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems & who want to access employment opportunities and attain work in the open job market. To prepare individuals for employment by assessing their specific employment support needs and preferences through vocational profiling, under supervision of the team leader. To meet regularly with care coordinators/clinicians to coordinate and integrate IPS into mental health services. To proactively research the labour market and identify suitable local employers by making direct contact, promoting the service and working with them to secure employment opportunities. To provide personalised ongoing support to individuals once they have secured employment and to assist them in sustaining their employment. To provide support for the employer. To work with other members of the CMHT and clinical teams enlisting appropriate clinical/specialist support as and when necessary. To provide specialised advice concerning employment to service users with a range of different clinical needs. To provide specialised advice to employers concerning recruitment and retention. To develop workplace introduction strategies which are appropriate to individual service users and individual workplaces. To develop and deliver individualised awareness/training and support packages which will result in the successful acquisition of work and job-specific skills. This may include negotiating adjustments and maintaining ongoing contact with the employer. To appropriately monitor the career development of individuals in employment. To develop relationships with other organisations that support people to achieve their employment goals To prioritise, monitor and administer own caseload in conjunction with the team leader and ensure an appropriately balanced workload. To undertake training as required fulfilling the duties of the post.