Plymouth
Interviews to be held: 15th June 2026
37.5 hours per week.
For people who need mental health support, getting back into work is a vital step on their recovery journey. The evidence backs this up, but although 90% of people with severe mental illness want to work, only 8% of them are in paid employment. That’s why were looking for people to join our IPS Employment Support Service to work with the community mental health teams, as an Employment Specialist, to champion our mission and help people who need mental health support – your clients – get back into paid work.
This is also a challenging role, so you will need to be resilient, empathetic, and dedicated to finding clients a role that’s right for them. As a people person, you will build a good rapport with your clients, gaining a real understanding of their key skills, their aspirations and their career goals and finding them opportunities to match.
We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with a variety of experience for this role – We’ll train you on the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) approach, giving you the tools, you need to provide expert support and advice to clients, while also building positive relationships with employers, opening doors, and changing perceptions around mental health.
Does the job role include personal care?: No
Working Patterns:
Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm
Essential details:
ssential
An enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.
Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.
Experience
Essential
Experience of providing vocational/employment support as part of a prior role.
Desirable
Experience of supporting people with MH conditions into vocational/employment activities.
Understanding of the employment needs, barriers and difficulties faced by people with MH conditions.
Experience of working in a service where agreed targets are in place, demonstrating specific outcomes.
Experience of assessing, planning and facilitating activities that focus on recovery and vocational skills.
Experience of working with interpreters
Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team
Knowledge
Essential
The post holder will have a good understanding of return-to-work planning.
EAs will be aware of the secondary effects on the individual that could be caused by their mental health experience, including loss of employment. The EA will also be aware that many individuals with mental health conditions may also have primary or secondary health conditions and disabilities.
The EA will have the knowledge to understand the work implications of these conditions, confidence, fear of failure etc.
Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits.
Desirable
The EA must be aware of and guided by the Job Centre Plus Employment, Health Condition and Disability guide notes.
Awareness of the needs of people with MH conditions. The issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on MH.
Knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of employment law and the Equality Act 2010.
Knowledge of evidence based interventions to support people remain in, return to & gain work.
Qualifications
Essential
Degree in a relevant area or equivalent, relevant experience in employment advice or mental health
Desirable
Evidence of further qualification or professional CPD relating to employment, employment law, and or mental health.
NVQ Level 4 in Advice & Guidance
Certificate in Coaching Skills