About this role
Job summary
People with severe mental health challenges often face major barriers to employment. While over 75% want paid work, only 6-8% achieve it.
Berkshire Healthcare's Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Service, now celebrating its tenth anniversary, is looking for a Peer Employment Specialist to help change this. The role focuses on supporting people with severe mental health issues to gain, retain, and sustain paid employment.
At the start of your IPS journey, you will promote employment as a key part of recovery, working closely within Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) to build relationships and encourage timely referrals to the IPS service.
To apply, you must have personal experience of accessing secondary mental health services and feel able to manage your diagnosis well. Most importantly, we value your lived experience, resilience, willingness to support others, and ability to build positive relationships.
Full IPS training will be provided. You will support clinicians and clients in making informed choices about employment while helping challenge perceptions around mental health and work. Experience in supported employment or mental health services is helpful, but empathy, hope, and determination are essential.
There are two full-time roles (37.5 hours) available across the West and East Berkshire Community Mental Health Services teams, with travel required across Berkshire Healthcare locations.
Main duties of the job
Act as a visible and active presence within CMHS, promoting IPS and employment as a core part of recovery.
Build strong working relationships across CMHS to generateappropriateandtimelyIPS referrals.
Hold a caseloadof around 20 clients, supporting individuals to explore employment goals in line with IPS principles.
Share lived experience appropriately to instill hope, build motivation, and reduce stigma around work and mental health.
Work closely with IPS Employment Specialists, clinicians, and MDT members to ensure integrated and coordinated support.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
Caring for and about you is our top priority Committed to providing good quality, safe services Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
Flexible working options to support work-life balance 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell Generous NHS pension scheme Excellent learning and career development opportunities 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave Free parking across Trust sites
Job description Job responsibilities
Themust havesfor this role:
Adegree or experience in health, social care, or employment support
You willneedto have accessed secondary mental health services and have reached a time in your life where you feel you are able to manage your diagnosis well
Experienceofworkingwithandsupportingpeoplewhohavemental healthissues(orotherdisadvantagedgroups) intoemployment
Abilityto travel acrossWest/East Berkshire
Able todemonstratethrough examples offered at interviewexcellent motivational, communication and listening skills
Able todemonstrateahighlevelof organisation andperseverancein the application andat interview
For further information about the role, please seeattachedjob description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
Werecommitted to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have.Pleasedonthesitate to call: GurpreetAthwalon 07815485139 or email:[email protected] delighted to help.
Pleasenote,if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Education/qualifications/training Essential
Degree or equivalent experience Lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery, with ability to use this safely and purposefully
Desirable
To have accessed secondary mental health services and have reached a time in your life where you feel you are able to manage your diagnosis well
Continuous professional development Desirable
A good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment Trained in the IPS approach Additional employability/careers counselling qualification, such as: 1. Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services Sector Qualification 2. QCF in Advice & Guidance (Level 3)
Previous experience Essential
Experience of working with and supporting people who have mental health issues (or other unemployed disadvantaged groups) into employment Experience of supporting individuals on a one-to-one basis, with strong understanding of recovery-focused, strengths-based approach Experience of carrying out assessments (eg vocational, health, occupational) Proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets
Desirable
Experience of working alongside clinical teams within mental health
Knowledge, skills and abilities Essential
Ability to engage and build rapport with service users and clinical teams. Able to demonstrate empathy, tenacity and hope when working alongside people with severe mental health issues Knowledge of policy, practice and legislation in relation to employment, disability, equalities and mental health Good numeracy and information management skills Able to demonstrate a high level of perseverance; committed to seeing plans through to their conclusion within agreed timescales Excellent motivational, communication and listening skills; able to build rapport and trust with a range of people, especially clients and employers Well organised and confident working independently with own caseload and using initiative to identify and make the most of new opportunities
Desirable
Experience of working within NHS settings Able to collaborate successfully within a mixed-disciplinary team applying effective communication and collaborative working skills Good knowledge of the local employment market Understanding of work-related benefits Understanding of successful job search strategies - eg creating a compelling CV, presenting clients to hiring managers, preparing for interviews
Additional requirements Essential
Ability to travel across CMHS locations as required using own means of transport
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 Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address Individual Placement Support - East - Church Hill House, 51-52 Turing Drive, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7FR
51-52 Turing Drive
Bracknell
RG12 7FR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)