About this role
Job summary
EPUT is very excited and proud to offer the opportunity to join our new Connect to Work employment service on a fixed-term contract until 31st December 2026.
If you are a people person and feel you would enjoy supporting a wide range of Essex residents with achieving their employment goals, then why not apply today!
This service supports those across Essex with mental and physical health needs achieve and retain good quality paid work. This builds on a long track record and reputation at EPUT for helping to make a difference to people's lives through promoting sustainable employment that improves mental and physical health and brings wider community benefits.
The service is called Connect to Work and the main focus is to work alongside primary and community healthcare providers who will be the main referrers into the service and deliver high quality support to help those referred to gain and sustain in paid employment.
It is expected that the successful applicant will need to be able to work mainly in the Tendring/Harwich area of North Essex.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to help people with mental and/or physical health needs to access employment.
You will be involved in helping people decide on their employment goals, setting and achieving goals, including support with job searching, applications, interview skills and providing ongoing in work support after they have found work.
We are seeking individuals who are person-centred and positive in their outlook, have a 'can do' attitude and enjoy the challenges of helping people to overcome any barriers to finding work. You must have strong communication skills and confidence in order to build up relationships with all relevant stakeholders including local employers and businesses. You will be required to directly engage with a range of stakeholders (e.g. DWP, Job Centre +, voluntary organisations, training providers etc.) but especially local employers in order to create opportunities for service users and to challenge stigma and discrimination that can at times be associated with mental and/or physical health needs and employment. You will also be meeting and working with individuals and organisations in their local community
About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential. Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks. If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling. We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication. Benefits
27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service. Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay. Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits. £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus. Work that wraps around your needs
Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
Job description Job responsibilities
You will work in partnership with multi-disciplinary Mental and Physical Health Teams within Primary Care health providers and will be expected to champion the employment agenda, instilling the belief that people with mental and/or physical health needs want to work and with the right support can work; and therefore generating referrals to the service.
You will work in partnership with individual service users, developing relationships that are enabling and empowering. You will be providing an evidence based supported employment service, which will require you to prepare individuals for employment by assessing needs; identifying strengths, help with benefits, support networks, travel to work plans etc.
You will work to individual targets, i.e. the number of people supported into employment, and the number of Employers engaged with. You will be skilled in managing your own time and working with a high level of autonomy; responsible to the Team Leader via regular supervision and support and accountable to the Vocational Manager. You will promote best practice within mental and physical health and employment in the Trust and other organisations in the local area.
Would you like an opportunity to help people who have mental health needs to find meaningful and sustainable work? Do you currently work or have experience in health or social care, recruitment, employment or education services? If you have transferable skills to enable people to find and sustain employment, this is an excellent opportunity to join our new Connect to Work service.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Good standard of education; NVQ 3 or equivalent
Desirable
Educated to degree level; Health and Social care related qualification Qualification in; Information, Advice & Guidance or Employability Service Sector Trained IPS approach
Knowledge Essential
Understanding of the needs and challenges faced by people experiencing mental and physical health difficulties when looking for employment Good understanding of the need for goal setting when delivering employment support Good knowledge of local and/or Government employment initiatives. Good knowledge of the link between mental health and employment Good knowledge of maintain best practice in employment and ways to promote this
Desirable
Knowledge of relevant Welfare Benefits, i.e. disability, employment and in-work benefits An understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment (IPS Model) Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010
Skills/Experience Essential
Experience of helping people obtain or sustain employment/training Experience of working within health, social care or the voluntary sector with people who have experienced mental health problems Experience of developing local stakeholder relationships or similar Experience of working to a high standard of administration procedures Literate in IT/Computer Skills, including Outlook, Excel Good oral communication skills based on fluency with the English language
Desirable
Previous Experience of delivering IPS Employment Support Delivering Mental Health First Aid Training Use of patient record systems to record client activity
Personal Qualities Essential
Ability to assess and service users' employability skills and identify support needs Able to construct and review person-centered action plans Ability to be flexible, open and creative when problem solving, facilitating solutions to challenging situations Excellent negotiation skills and persuasive which will benefit development of relationships with local employers/ stakeholders Commitment to working collectively with colleagues to reach team targets, sharing best practice ideas, stakeholder links and employer leads Excellent interpersonal communication skills leading to effective representation and promotion of the service Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently whiles delivering support in line with Trust values, open, compassionate and empowering
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 Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Holmer Court
Essex Street
Colchester
CO3 3BT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)