At Shaw Trust we believe everyone has the right to live a decent and dignified life and an opportunity for rewarding work. We are a social purpose organisation challenging inequality and breaking down barriers to enable social mobility. We aim to create conditions that allow people to succeed, advocating and delivering services that make a real difference. We work in partnership, not competition, as part of an ecosystem of purpose‑led organisations, striving for a fairer, more equal society centred on opportunity for all.
Purpose
As an Employment Specialist, your mission is to empower individuals with mental health support needs by helping them secure sustainable employment in alignment with their preferences (meaningful to them) to rebuild their lives. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach, providing person‑centred guidance to clients while fostering positive relationships with local employers. Your role within community mental health teams or early intervention psychosis teams supports a holistic approach to recovery through employment.
Responsibilities
- Meet clients in the community or mental health settings
- Support individuals with job goals, applications and interviews
- Build relationships with local employers
- Work collaboratively with clinical teams
- Provide ongoing in‑work support
This role is active and varied; you’ll spend much of your time out and about building relationships and supporting people directly.
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for motivated, proactive individuals who are passionate about helping others succeed. Transferable skills are welcome: you don’t need to have done this exact role before. We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds where supporting people to achieve their goals is key.
Background experience may include
- Education (teachers, tutors, teaching assistants)
- Health and social care
- Youth work or community roles
- Charity or voluntary sector
- Coaching, mentoring or careers advice
- Recruitment, HR or customer advisory roles
- Housing, probation or rehabilitation services
- Customer‑facing leadership roles (e.g. retail, hospitality)
Essential
- A people‑centred approach in a commercial framework
- Demonstratable passion to further the charitable aims of the organisation
- Ability to work to targets
- Collaborative skills to unite with others behind the organisation’s mission
- Experience or understanding of working with people with mental health support needs or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector
- Resilience and initiative
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to work 100% of the time in the community or in a mental health treatment hub
- A strong communicator who can build trust quickly
- Organised and able to manage a varied workload
- Resilient and able to work independently
- Professional in approach and presentation
- Motivated to achieve positive outcomes for others
Location
You will be based within Birmingham or Solihull – community based (peripatetic).
Why join Shaw Trust?
- Be part of a supportive, inclusive, purpose‑led organisation
- Make a meaningful difference every day
- Work alongside NHS and community partners
- Receive training in the IPS model
- Develop your career in a values‑driven organisation
Employee Benefits
- 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays), with incremental increases after 3 years’ service up to 28 days, and the option to purchase additional holiday
- 2 days paid volunteering leave each year
- An enhanced pension scheme after 6 months
- Life Assurance at 3 times your annual salary rate
- Access to a suite of learning and development opportunities including paid apprenticeships and masters’ level qualifications, and management development programmes
- Opportunities to connect with our employee diversity networks (LGBTQ+ Support Network, Racial Equality Network, Disability Equality Network, Women’s Network)
- Health and wellbeing initiatives including internal support, employee assistance programme and health cash plan
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Certified as an employer who meets the National Equality Standard
- Disability Confident Leaders, support the guaranteed interview scheme and use of the government’s Access to Work scheme
- Living our values, we are keen to reflect the diversity of UK society at every level within our organisation
- We welcome applications from all sections of the community including people with lived experience and/or knowledge of disability or social exclusion.
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