IPS Employment Specialist
Contract Details
Contract Type: Permanent
Contract Hours: 37 per week
Salary: NJC Grade F SCP 19-24 £32,061 – £35,412
Closing Date: 11th June 2026
About the Role
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an ICB funded programme available nationally, offering around one year of supported employment to eligible participants to help them find or stay in work.
The role is based in Blackburn and involves working in town centre offices and across the wider community, requiring local travel and use of a vehicle on a daily basis. Liaising with local employers and building strong relationships is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Support people with serious mental illnesses (SMI), key barriers to work or struggles to stay in work to secure suitable paid employment aligned with their career aspirations.
- Deliver the Individual Placement and Support model, providing holistic, person‑centred support, advice and guidance.
- Initiate and develop regular relationships with local employers, using email, telephone and face‑to‑face contact, and broach reasonable adjustments and working patterns to help clients achieve or retain sustainable employment.
- Build trust with health and allied professionals to ensure high‑quality referrals and promote recovery through employment.
Qualifications and Experience
- Level 3 qualification in IAG or equivalent, or a minimum of two years’ demonstrable experience providing employment support, advice and guidance.
- Strong persuasive communication, excellent time management and exceptional organisational and administrative skills.
- Ability to initiate and develop relationships with local employers and produce positive outcomes.
- Access to a vehicle to attend appointments on a daily basis.
Benefits
- Achievable work‑life balance through flexible working options.
- Annual leave: 26 days per year, rising to 28 days after five years and 32 days after ten years; additional leave available via salary sacrifice.
- Competitive pension scheme.
- Generous special leave provisions for caring responsibilities, domestic emergencies and bereavement.
- Maternity, paternity and adoption leave above statutory minimum.
- Childcare voucher scheme.
- Corporate leisure scheme.
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including e‑learning via iPool.
- Regular supervision, support and annual appraisal.
- Occupational sick pay scheme and health support.
- Awards scheme recognising outstanding employees.
- Travel benefits such as train season tickets, car sharing, cycling schemes and staff parking.
- Free health MOT at corporate events.
- Free independent face‑to‑face counselling and helpline.
- Mental Health First Aid support.
- Employee discounts to national attractions.
Additional Requirements
This post requires access to PSN services or networks and the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic Disclosure check of unspent convictions through DBS, provide satisfactory references, medical clearance, evidence of essential qualifications and proof of legal working in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…