About this role
Job summary
EPUT is very excited and proud to offer the opportunity to join our IPS in Primary Care/Connect to Work employment service until 30th Sept 2026. We are open to applications from those wanting F/T or P/T hrs (min 3 days/week).
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 IPS in Primary Care/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.
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. 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
Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts. Flexible working: available from day one for most roles. Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
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 (called Individual Placement and Support/IPS) 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 team of Employment Specialists.
We are recruiting for an Employment Specialist to cover the North Essex (Colchester and Tendring districts) and Mid Essex (Chelmsford, Maldon and Braintree districts) areas.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
oGood standard of education; NVQ 3 or equivalent
Desirable
oEducated to degree level; Health and Social care related qualification
Knowledge Essential
oKnowledge of good practice in employment oKnowledge of relevant Welfare Benefits and benefits rules oKnowledge of the Equality Act 2010
Desirable
oAn understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment oVocational assessment and profiling
Experience Essential
oExperience of working within health, social care or the voluntary sector with people who have experienced mental health problems. oAn understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.
Desirable
oExperience and knowledge of the benefits agency and all disability / employment related benefits. - Experience of helping people obtain or sustain employment/training
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
Employer's website https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)