About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Workways Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team to work closely with the Early Intervention Teams within DPT (STEP).
Workways are recruiting an Employment Specialist staff join the STEP team that covers Torbay, South & West Devon.
The Workways admin base is in Exminster, near Exeter, but day to day work for the post holder will be based within the Early Intervention Team base and predominantly in the community.
Post holders will work closely with and receive management and clinical supervision from the established Workways team who are currently working alongside all adult Core Mental health teams within DPT.
The post holder will be involved in assisting Early Intervention Team clients to find and receive support while in paid employment using the evidenced based Individual Placement &Support (IPS) approach.
The post holder will also provide information, guidance and support to clients who want to progress with education and training working closely to the IPS priniciples.
Experience of supporting employers and helping people with a health condition (preferably mental health-related) to find employment are essential to the role.
Main duties of the job
In this role, as an Employment Specialist, you will be working closing with service users, employers, Job Centres and other agencies, to deliver high quality, effective employment support using Individual Placement and Support (IPS), the evidence-based method of finding work for individuals with significant mental health needs.
You will have the opportunity to work with a small, friendly team, managing a caseload of no more than 20 service users. IPS focuses on delivering high quality support for individuals so you will have the chance to work closely with each person on your caseload.
In the field of employment support you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and practice in a unique and highly rewarding way, using your existing knowledge of mental health and social care, and taking this into the rapidly developing national arena of IPS services.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description Job responsibilities
Main duties of the job
The post holder works as part of the Workways team in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) evidence based best practice. The post holder also provides specialised vocational assessment of individuals learning and work needs. The post holder will manage a caseload of no more than 20 people (per wte) who are supported by the Early Intervention Team, experiencing mental health problems and wish to enter or remain in employment in line with IPS principles. Working with people in an individualised way to help them achieve their own employment and/or education goals, the post holder will be pro-active in their engagement with people on their caseload. The post holder will provide advice, information and support to the individual and to their employer/educator and mental health worker. The post holder is responsible for establishing and maintaining links with relevant organisations, employers and individuals to enable people who have mental ill health to obtain paid work.
This post may involve lone working, working away from base frequently and working without direct supervision.
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
Be the linked Employment Specialist with Early Intervention Teams in either Torbay, South and West DevonDevelop effective working relationships with a range of other agencies who might be better able to help individuals to achieve their employment and/or education goals for example, local colleges, training providers and external supported employment services.Liaise regularly with mental health services workers, users and carers groups and other health related agencies over learning and work issues.Carry out all components of supporting clients on caseload with education goals.Establish, maintain and nurture employer contacts with the aim of increasing options for people to find employment. Aim to contact at least one new employer every week.Promote the benefits of employing and supporting people with mental health issues to EmployersPromote the benefits of mainstream education for clients on caseload with education goals. Support employers to enable the person using the service to sustain their position. This will involve regular communication with employers and others to provide advice, guidance and training on how to manage a particular situation. Be available on the end of the phone for advice and support to employers/educators and others as requiredPromote and publicise Workways to learning and work providers and the wider community by giving talks or presentations as agreed with service manager.Be able to sensitively deal with confidential and complex information regarding an individuals health, education and employment history.Work closely with the person using the service ensuring appropriate, prompt, pro-active and clear communication at all times.Following DPT policies, respond to requests for general information regarding mental health and employment, this may be from employers and members of the publicKeep the Workways team informed of current work to ensure continuity of work at times of absence.Work closely with the whole Workways team and cover others work as needed, this may include covering admin and reception duties at times of staff shortages.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Following assessment of a new applicant to the service, offer the most relevant interventions in line with the IPS approach. Monitor progress with clinical outcomes of own caseload and report monthly to team lead on these to ensure accurate onward reporting.
Planning and Organisational Skills
Ensure effective use of resources within own work.Be responsible for organising and planning own caseload and managing clinical/non clinical time effectively to fit with service needs and demandsWorking with another team member, prepare, organise and run training for employers, others in learning and work organisations and care staff about learning, work and mental health issues.As required take a lead in planning and running of recovery courses and groups for people who use the service such as Preparing For Work.Work flexibly to meet individuals needs and this may require some working out of normal office hours.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy
At all times work in a recovery-focussed way.Manage a caseload of people (of no more than 20 people per whole time equivalent worker) who have mental health issues and who wish to find paid work or commence mainstream educationWork pro-actively with the person using the service with the ultimate goal of helping them find and retain paid work.Provide IPS vocational assessment for individual applicants to Workways.Work with the person using the service to explore their areas of strength, development needs, barriers to progression, learning and work needs and so on to draw up a plan of action and their next best step.Co-write all action plans with the person using the service, then monitor and evaluate these plans in order to measure progress and effectiveness of all interventions.Regularly review the agreed action plan with the person using the service, seeking to assist them to progress with their vocational goals.Provide interventions to assist the individual in problem solving, confidence building and improving work related skillsProvide support in the work place for each person using the service to enable them to have the best possible chance of succeeding in the position.Provide individualised, on-going support and advice to individuals once they have secured employment to assist them in sustaining employment.Maintain a professional relationship with the people using the service with VRS staff, with mental health staff, employers and with particular attention to confidentiality and maintenance of professional boundaries.Plan and implement recovery courses or groups as required. This involves running group sessions on topics such as interview techniques, c.v. writing or assertiveness, for example.Be able to work with people who have additional problems such as learning difficulties, physical conditions or injuries.
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation
Ensure up to date knowledge of, and adherence to, the Individual Placement and Support approach, in relation to Early Intervention to helping people find employment or commence education.Keep Workways informed of current VR issues and keep up to date with examples of evidence-based practice and government initiatives and mandates.Ensure there is easily accessible written and electronic information for all the team and people using the service about learning and work related issues and services.Be involved in developing local policiesAssist as requested in producing documents of good practice about the employment of people with mental health difficulties.Increase engagement of employers through providing support for employers in recruitment & retention of staff with mental health issues.Network with peers to maintain professional links across the Trust
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
Ensure all resources are used safely, efficiently and effectively, bringing to the service managers attention any areas where this might be improvedMay handle small amounts of petty cash on occasion.May be a purchase card holder
Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management
Provide informal and ad-hoc clinical support and supervision to the administration team as requiredSupervise students on placement as agreed with service manager.Assist with the induction of new staff
Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties
Maintain up to date and accurate statistics, clinical records, service deficits, training given, outcomes of contact, and any other information needed for the ongoing evaluation of the service.Regularly use IT systems for inputting of data, e-mailing, internet and word processing.Assist in reviewing the teams administration processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, raising any concerns with team lead or service manager.
Responsibility for Research and Development
Take an active part in reviewing and developing new working practices in line with current evidence based practiceParticipate in staff surveysTake an active role in conducting clinical audits
Freedom to Act
In line with policies and procedures, work under the general supervision of the appointed supervisor making independent decisions on a day to day basis.
Any Other Specific Tasks Required
Using the Trusts core training requirements and the Workways team development checklist, participate in a range of learning opportunities to ensure own skills and knowledge are up to date.Have monthly professional, clinical and managerial supervision of work Have yearly personal development and review meetings and six monthly reviews.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Knowledge of the IPS approach to supported employment in relation to Early Intervention Services Knowledge of the employment /education needs and possible difficulties of people who experience mental health problems. Understanding of mental health conditions Understanding of current mental health services
Desirable
An understanding of the current research and thinking about vocational rehabilitation services Understanding of Recovery principles Understanding of practice and principles of risk assessment Current awareness of relevant Benefits Current awareness of Government employment/training schemes Working knowledge of Equality Act Working knowledge of employment law Good understanding of health and safety at work issues Knowledge of groupwork theory Some experience of specifically assisting people to find paid employment Some experience of working in a mental health and/or employment specialist role. Has practised the IPS approach to supported employment Experience of working in a range of jobs Experience of running groups/delivering training Personal experience of mental health issues
Qualifications Essential
Degree in either occupational therapy, careers guidance, vocational rehabilitation or related subject and / or Educated to degree level or equivalent experience Equivalent experience should demonstrate knowledge, skills, and behaviours aligned with IPS competencies and values: a) Employment Support Experience b) Mental Health or Social Care Experience c) Community Engagement d) Transferable Skills and qualities
Desirable
NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance Certificate in Coaching skills Willing to work towards a specific level Vocational Rehabilitation/IPS qualification
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 Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address Workways
Estuary House
Collett Way
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ124PH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)