About this role
Job summary
Our Employment Specialists are integrated within our community mental health services and deliver evidenced based Individual Placement & Support (IPS) to help service users who are unemployed to find competitive employment as part of their recovery. We also provide job retention support to those already in employment whose job may be at risk. Employment Specialists engage with local employers to support individuals back into work based on their preferred job goals and liaise with relevant stakeholders including the service user, clinical health professionals, GPs, employers and occupational health services to enable this.
Main duties of the job
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an internationally recognised evidence-based model for supporting people with serious mental illness back into employment as part of their recovery.
IPS is expanding across England with the NHS committed to ensuring more people have access to employment support across both primary and secondary care systems.
South West London & St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust was the first NHS services to integrate IPS into its Mental Health teams and we now looking to further expand our service with new Employment Specialist roles across Wandsworth, Kingston, Richmond, Sutton and Merton.
We are currently recruiting for multiple positions and are looking for individuals who share our values and belief that Employment should be available for everyone regardless of their mental health condition or other barriers
As an Employment Specialist, you will work with a small caseload of 20-25 individuals who are experiencing severe mental illness. You will work alongside a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals to ensure that employment is part of the recovery plan for our patients.
A core part of IPS is the work we do with local Employers, and as part of this role you will be responsible for employer engagement in line with client preferences and help to bridge the gap into competitive employment that many of our clients need support with.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.
Job description Job responsibilities
To manage a caseload of a maximum of 25 service users at any one time who are currently off work / unemployed and who wish to return to work.
To gain referrals from both primary and secondary care services, being responsible for those service users who want to return to employment.
To meet regularly with health professionals to co-ordinate and integrate employment support into health treatment.
To prepare individuals for a return to work through assessing each persons individual employment needs through vocational profiling/assessment.
To provide individualised, support to individuals once they have returned to work to assist them in sustaining employment.
To proactively engage and work with employers to retain employment opportunities for people who have experienced mental health problems.
To provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual, which may include negotiating adjustments, return to work strategy and on-going contact with the employer to ensure job retention.
To provide outreach services as necessary to individuals when they appear to disengage from the service. Maintain some contact with individuals even without a vocational focus if necessary to sustain engagement.
To assess individuals support needs related to work which might typically include help with benefits, travel to work, graded return to work etc.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications
If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.
Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.
Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.
Person Specification
Traiuning & Qualification Essential
Educated to degree level or equivalent
Experience Essential
Experience of working with people who have experienced mental health problems within health, social services, the voluntary sector or mainstream educational services Experience of successfully helping people to obtain or keep education/work
Desirable
Experience and interpretation of welfare benefits; specifically disability, health and employment related benefits
Knowledge & Skills Essential
Knowledge of welfare benefits and disability/employment related benefits Knowledge of disability and special needs issues in relation to employment/ education An understanding of the issues of user involvement in mental health services Good written and verbal communication skills A good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment
Desirable
Report writing skills An understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment Knowledge of government and local funding opportunities regarding learning and employment opportunities
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Address Various sites
South West London
SW17 0YG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)