IPS Mental Health Employment Specialist Job Description and Person Specification IPS Employment Specialist Leeds – Workplace Hours Full Time (37 hours per week , but can offer flexible working , we are unable to consider any ) part time roles currently Grade Grade 3 Contract 12-month Fixed Term contract from start date of post (with potential of extension beyond that) Location This is a community -based role, with occasional team activities held at our Kirkstall and Horsforth offices. The position also involves co working flexibly across various locations throughout the city. -locating with clinical teams and Annual Leave 28 days a year plus 8 Statutory holidays, rising to 31 days after 3 years Pension 3% employer contribution, 5% employee contribution, enhanced by salary exchange Probationary Period 6 months Reporting to Workplace Leeds Employment Team Leader DBS Check Level Enhanced Introduction We have faith and optimism in the people who access our services and so delivery is built around their needs. We support the people of Leeds West Yorkshire to discover their own resources to ‘recover’ from periods of poor mental health, and to live life in Our values of Being Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected and Resourceful are pivotal to the work we do. dependently with their mental health difficulties. , a core part of Leeds Mind , provides specialist, community WorkPlace Leeds based mental health employment support across the city, following the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment is a vital part of mental health recovery. Our service helps individuals to find or sustain meaningful work, maintain relationships, contribute to their communities, and reduce loneliness and isolation. Support is deliver through a combination of co llaboration , ensuring a holistic and person and multi - disciplinary model. We believe that one - to - one sessions -centred approach. - ed Belonging at Leeds Mind Leeds Mind is committed to creating an inclusive environment and inclusion are at the heart of everything that we do. – equity, diversity We are committed to ensuring that our colleagues, volunteers and people who access our services feel a sense of belonging at Leeds Mind that gives them the confidence to share their unique perspectives and experience. By creating an inclusive environment that fosters belonging, we aspire to attract colleagues and volunteers who offer diversity of experience and thought. We believe this will ultimately improve the service we provide as well as the employee and volunteer experience. To find out more about how we are developing this you can click here . Purpose of the role To provide an IPS employment support individuals who are accessing secondary mental health services service in line with Leeds Mind values to in Leeds. You will be required to manage a caseload of health difficulties and who are either unemployed or seeking to clients who have experienced mental return to current employment following long term absence approach (according to the key principles of IPS). You will work stakeholders, including employers, to support the client to gain and retain paid employment. . You will be expected to deliver the IPS with all relevant We encourage all interested candidates to watch an introductory video the impact of being an IPS Employment Specialist. Follow this link to the video Transform Lives Through Employment - IPS - 2024 (youtube.com) which describes - Main Tasks and Responsibilities This role is ideal for a proactive, client-focused individual passionate about supporting people with mental health challenges in achieving their employment goals. • Support individuals with difficulties secure and /or retain meaningful employment, in line with their career aspirations and abilities. moderate and enduring mental health to • Manage a caseload of approx. 20 clients , tracking progress, providing regular feedback, and ensuring timely interventions to meet employment goals. • Develop personalised action plans to help clients identify job goals, overcome barriers, and prepare for job search and interviews. • Engage in regular employer outreach , including cold calling, networking, and face - to -face meetings, to create a network of supportive workplaces. • Build and maintain employer relationships to identify job opportunities, promote the benefits of employing individuals with mental health challenges, stigma of mental health in the workplace, employer and employee. and provide ongoing support to both challenge the • Conduct one - to - one job coaching and provide advice on CV writing, job applications, interview techniques reasonable adjustments in the to retain suitable posts. , safely disclosing mental health in the workplace, workplace , wellness action plans, and in work support • Work in close collaboration with clinical teams and other professionals to ensure a holistic , ‘wrap around’ approach to employment support awareness of our approach to these teams. location and regular attendance to multi -disciplinary meetings. , as well as promoting This will include regular community co - • Maintain accurate and timely records of client interactions, employer engagements, and employment outcomes, ensuring compliance with data protection policies and our fidelity quality guidelines . • Deliver ongoing in - work support any issues related to mental health or job performance. to help clients sustain employment, addressing • Monitor and evaluate client progress and adapt support plans accordingly, with a focus on achieving long -term employment sustainability. Organisation • Participate in monthly 1:1s, quarterly performance and development meetings , and compulsory Leeds Mind training programme s . • Attend and participate in service/team meetings. • Work within the framework of Leeds Mind’s policies and procedures. • Promote the values, behaviours, and ethos of Leeds Mind • Respond and report on safeguarding concerns in line with the Leeds Mind safeguarding policy and procedure. • Undertake any other reasonable duties as and when required. Person Specification Essential Desirable Knowledge/ Qualifications • GSCE English and Maths (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or • Qualification in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, above mediation/ advocacy, or related • Basic k nowledge and/or fields. awareness of the barriers faced, • Advanced understanding of The and support required for people Individual Placement and Support experiencing mental health Employment model (IPS) , and it’s difficulties i n the workplace . fidelity quality measures. • Basic understanding of • Knowledge of the local job market Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, and available employment Children and Young People opportunities. • Basic understanding of the Individual Placement and • Understanding of employment law and reasonable adjustments Support (IPS) model or other for individuals with disabilities or supported employment mental health conditions. approaches. • Requires an active UK driver's • Knowledge of the benefits system, including Universal Credit license and access to a vehicle and Employment Support for the purposes of business and Allowance. commu ting. • Developed understanding of safeguarding policies and practices when working with vulnerable individuals. Skills/Ability • Basic level of IT skills, inc. use of • Elevated level of IT skills, Microsoft Word and Excel . inc luding the use of databases, • Strong organisational skills, able to manage a caseload, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines / targets. wider MS Office functions , online job -search platforms , and clinical client management systems. • Empathy and sensitivity when working with individuals • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to persuade, experiencing mental health empower, motivate, and mediate • Proven ability to network and engage with employers (or stakeholder s ), promoting the benefits of hiring individuals with mental health challenges. difficulties, maintaining a non - judgemental and supportive approach. • Initiative to network and engage with employers (or stakeholder s ). • Problem -solving skills with a solution -focused mindset, able to help clients overcome barriers to employment and empower them t o gain employment that matches their aspirations and experience. • C ommunication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and engage effectively with clients, employers, and clinical teams. Experience • Experience in a similar role supporting individuals with • Experience of working within mental health employment mental health conditions or services , alongside clinical teams disabilities . (particularly in an IPS service) . • Experience of delivering support in a performance - driven • Coaching or mentoring experience, particularly with environment, meeting specific vulnerable or disadvantaged outcome targets. groups in community or clinical settings . • Previous experience with employer engagement or job development activities. • Lived experience of mental health difficulties • A commitment to the Individual Placement and Support approach to mental health recovery. Behavioural • Lives our values every day – Being Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected, and Resourceful • Open to change and able to work flexibly in line with the needs of the service/organisation • Commitment to working in partnership with service users, management, and staff • Understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing mental health difficulties • Demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace • Commitment to safeguarding clients and others you may encounter as part of your role.