Employment Specialist

Job Description

Job Title: IPSPC Employment Specialist

Inspire: Culture, Learning & Libraries

Grade: Scale 5

Job Purpose

To support the delivery of the IPSPC Working Well East Midlands Programme in South Nottinghamshire, which aims to help people with physical and mental health conditions to secure or return to sustainable paid employment.

To deliver high-quality Individual Placement and Support (IPS), helping people with significant barriers back into meaningful employment.

To maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external partners to develop progression opportunities for adults and young people and help them achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manage a small caseload of participants with physical or mental health disabilities who are motivated to start/return to work, using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) ‘place and train’ approach.

2. Meet and support participants to understand their key skills, aspirations, and goals through completing a Vocational Profile and producing an Action Plan to help them obtain and sustain competitive employment. This includes support with their job search, CV production, application forms, better-off calculations, interview techniques and career development.

3. Assess participant support needs related to work which may include benefits/welfare advice, disclosure of mental health symptoms / disabilities etc, and provide support & guidance.

4. Source job opportunities for participants through tailored job search and regular contact with local employers to explore hidden, as well as advertised, employment opportunities.

5. 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.

6. Build relationships with colleagues in clinical teams, job centres and VCS organisations to engage and generate referrals and create collaborative working partnerships (promoting employment as a positive intervention in the client journey).

7. Once employment has been secured continue to provide quality service through conducting regular visits, effective monitoring and in-work support to participants and employers to help sustain employment.

The post holder will work in accordance with all Inspire policies and procedures, Inspire Brand guidelines,
contractual requirements, and professional best practice.

The post holder will perform any duties or tasks assigned by management required to meet service needs as appropriate to the role.

Education and Knowledge Required for the role

1. Have undertaken training or have an understanding of the IPS approach.

2. Hold or be willing to work towards a level 4 IAG/Career Guidance qualification

3. Hold a GCSE Grade A to C (4 to 9) or Level 2 equivalent, in English and maths

4. Understanding of safeguarding and Prevent policies and procedures

5. Understanding of Government funded training programmes

6. Awareness of Health and Safety issues and legislation in relation to learning delivery

7. Understanding of Equal Opportunities policies and procedures and methods of widening participation in community learning delivery.

Skills and Experience

1. Understanding of the needs and challenges faced by people experiencing mental health difficulties when looking for employment

2. Knowledge of coaching strategies, motivational interviewing and goal setting to achieve employment outcomes

3. Good knowledge of Employment Law and the Equality Act in relation to disability and discrimination

4. Knowledge of relevant Welfare Benefits, i.e. disability, employment and in-work benefits

5. Working with companies who are looking to recruit staff

6. Experience of working with a diverse range of needs Excellent customer service and communication skills

7. Experience of working effectively as part of a team to develop effective solutions for participants.

Role Dimensions

1. Act as an Inspire Learning Employment Specialist and ensure that all participants receive high-quality support and Advice

2. Understand the principles of quality Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and supporting people with significant barriers back into meaningful employment?

3. Understand the local labour market and develop links with local employers to offer employment opportunities for participants, including support to make a success of the participants’ employment.

Job TitleIPSPC Employment Specialist

Inspire Competencies

Grade: Scale 5

Competency

Level

How we work at Inspire

Customer Service

3

1. Demonstrates effective customer service skills – in person, online, email or on the phone - identifies and satisfies customer needs, adjusting their style with a friendly and professional approach as appropriate for the customer, respecting confidentiality, equality & diversity and prioritises the customer over tasks where appropriate

2. Responds positively to customer concerns, acts to resolve or reassure customers as needed, agrees solutions with the customer or hands over to an appropriate colleague

3. Responds positively to any complaint or suggestion and seeks to resolve it within limits of their authority or hands over to a more senior manager as appropriate

Deliver the service offer

3

1. Knows and/or accesses information to advise and promote the Inspire Service Offer to all customers – to meet their immediate needs and other services that could be of interest or benefit them

2. Embraces any changes to the offer and any associated changes to processes or working practices positively, takes responsibility for their own development and engages with and makes the most of development opportunities provided

3. Shares feedback about the Inspire offer with their line manager and contributes to meetings, discussions and related activities to ensure service delivery and/or improve our offer

Communicating Well

3

1. Communicates clearly and effectively in person, on the phone and in writing respectfully and in a style appropriate to the person and situation and uses and engages with Inspire’s online communications

2. Communicates effectively in a meeting or other group situation, respectfully and in a style appropriate to the group and situation with a solutions-based / can-do approach

3. Debates, positively challenges and/or discusses issues with colleagues and line manager, sharing views and acknowledging and respecting the views of others, seeks to reach agreement and respects the final decision made

Working Together

3

1. Adopts a friendly, helpful, supportive and respectful manner when working with others

2. Acts in a way that shows they are trustworthy, reliable and transparent in their dealings with others, respecting privacy and confidentiality as appropriate

3. Forms positive and effective working relationships, makes and implements decisions fairly, using good judgement and with integrity, in line with Inspire values and role modelling Inspire management and leadership behaviours

Leading the Way

2

1. Incorporates the spirit of Inspire’s mission, vision and values in the work they do with customers, colleagues and stakeholders, plays their part in implementing Inspire policies and procedures and management decisions

2. Articulates and shares Inspire’s mission, vision and values to enthuse and focus the efforts of colleagues

Working Efficiently & Cost Effectively

3

1. Uses Inspire resources and their time effectively to meet service demand, objectives and/or targets

2. Plans ahead, making best use of time and resources available to achieve service delivery, maximising the use of technology available, minimising unnecessary travel or waste, prioritising work and working within spending limits

3. Resolves competing or conflicting demand for resources and time effectively to meet the needs of themselves, colleagues and customers

Skills and Qualifications

4

Newly Qualified or working towards: Diploma or Service Specific qualification or relevant HNC
or
Experienced Qualified (3 years or more): Diploma or Service Specific qualification or relevant HNC