IPS Employment Specialist (OT, RMN, Social Worker)
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Taunton, TA2 7PQ
Salary
£32,073 to £39,043
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
3 September 2026
3 days left
Job description
Are you an Occupational Therapist, Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), or Social Worker looking for a role where you can make a lasting difference t...
As a Mental Health IPS Employment Specialist, you will:
- Work directly with people experiencing severe and enduring mental health challenges who want to gain or retain paid employment.
- Carry out vocational assessments to understand each person's strengths, interests, aspirations, and employment goals.
- Develop tailored action plans and provide ongoing support throughout the employment journey.
- Build strong relationships with local employers and identify suitable job opportunities that match individual preferences and skills.
- Provide job coaching, in-work support, workplace assessments, and guidance on reasonable adjustments.
- Support individuals to understand and manage work-related risks, developing collaborative plans that promote success and wellbeing.
- Work closely with Community Mental Health Teams and partner organisations to ensure coordinated, recovery-focused support.
- Promote the benefits of employment as part of recovery and advocate for opportunities for people living with mental health conditions.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to service quality, outcomes monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.
This role is ideal for a motivated and compassionate professional who believes that employment can be transformative for people living with mental health difficulties.
You'll manage your own caseload, working flexibly across community settings to support individuals in achieving meaningful employment outcomes. From exploring career ambitions and overcoming barriers to work, through to engaging employers and providing ongoing workplace support, you'll be involved in every stage of the employment journey.
You'll work collaboratively with mental health professionals, employers, community organisations, and employment partners to create opportunities and deliver high-quality, personalised support. Your expertise will help individuals build confidence, develop practical strategies, and make informed decisions that support both their recovery and career aspirations.
You will bring experience of working with people who have complex mental health needs, excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and a genuine passion for helping people achieve their goals.
In return, you'll join a welcoming and innovative service that values professional development, collaborative working, and the positive impact employment can have on mental health recovery. You'll have opportunities to expand your skills in vocational rehabilitation, employer engagement, and the IPS approach while making a real difference to the lives of people across Somerset.
If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can combine your clinical knowledge with practical, recovery-focused support, we'd love to hear from you.
Help people discover what's possible through meaningful employment and be part of a service that changes lives every day.
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Qualifications
Essential
- A degree or equivalent in social work, occupational therapy or psychiatric nursing
- Professional registration to practice in the UK if degree is in social work, OT or nursing, or a degree in psychology
Desirable
- Masters degree in a relevant field
- IPS Training
Experience
Essential
- Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues
- Working closely with a range of service providers
Desirable
- IPS or other employment specialist experience
- Forensic mental health experience
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the county, to meet the needs of the service
Desirable
- Vocational assessment, worksite assessment and graded return to work or in work support planningSupervisory skills
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
19 August 2026
Last checked
21 August 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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