Employment Specialist

The postholder

works as part of the Workways team in line with the Individual Placement and

Support (IPS) evidence based best practice.

The postholder also provides

specialised vocational assessment of individuals work needs. The postholder

will manage a caseload of no more than 20 people (per wte) who are 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 goals, the postholder will be pro-active in their engagement

with people on their caseload.

The postholder will provide advice,

information and support to the individual and to their employer and mental

health worker.

The postholder 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.

The postholder works as part of the Workways team

in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) evidence based best

practice in VRS. The postholder also provides specialised vocational assessment

of individuals learning and work needs. The postholder will manage a caseload

of no more than 20 people (per wte) who are 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

goals, the postholder will be pro-active in their engagement with people on

their caseload. The postholder will provide advice, information and support to

the individual and to their employer and mental health worker. The postholder

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.

Be the linked Employment Specialist to one or two mental health teams,

in line with IPS fidelity

Develop effective working relationships with a range of other agencies

who might be better able to help individuals to achieve their employment 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.

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 employers

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

and others as required

Promote 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 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 public

Keep 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.

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.

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 demands

Working 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.

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

.

Work 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 skills

Provide 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.

Ensure up to date knowledge of, and adherence to, the Individual

Placement and Support approach to helping people find employment.

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 policies

Assist 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

Ensure all resources are used safely, efficiently and effectively,

bringing to the service managers attention any areas where this might be

improved

May handle small amounts of petty cash on occasion.

May be a purchase card holder

Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g.

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.

Experience

Qualifications

Desirable: - NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance Certificate in Coaching skills Willing to work towards a specific level Vocational Rehabilitation / IPS qualification