This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team who have recently been awarded a national Quality Kite Mark. We are seeking three employment specialists to join the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Team in Buckinghamshire

We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with a variety of experience - you don't need any specific qualifications or clinical experience. If you're resilient, empathic and determined to open doors, challenge prejudice, and champion the skills and talents of individuals, a career in IPS could be for you.

These roles are for those who are passionate and proactive about supporting people who have experienced mental health challenges to live well in the community

Main duties of the job

You will be working to support people either to gain employment or retain their current employment as part of multi-disciplinary (MDT)team's within areas across Buckinghamshire

This would include:

• The Aylesbury Adult Mental Health Team.
• Community Mental Health Neighborhood Teams covering Buckinghamshire including the High Wycombe and Marlow Area .
• The Employment Specialist's will join an IPS team working under the direction of an IPS team leader to deliver IPS as part of the holistic recovery plan for mental health service users in the community.

You will be required to manage a caseload of up to 20 people at any one time who have experienced mental health problems and who are waiting to either gain new employment or retain their current employment. The Employment Specialist is expected to deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach - for which training will be given.

Working directly with all relevant stakeholders: the service user, Oxford Health staff, partner agencies ,employers and people who have experienced mental health challenges themselves - you will support the service users on your caseload to gain and retain paid employment.

About us

The role of an Employment Specialist in Oxford Health is incredibly dynamic and diverse. One moment you'll be working closely with IPS clients to set goals, refining their CVs, or practising interview techniques, the next, you'll be out in the local community approaching potential employers and discussing roles and job flexibility.

We pride ourselves in being a supportive team within a great organisation

Benefits of working for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, with an increase to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Staff accommodation
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme

Job description Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To manage a caseload of up to 20 service users at any one time who are currently off work / unemployed, receiving mental health support and who wish to return to employment
• To provide Job Retention support to those service users currently under services who are at risk of losing their job through supporting with meetings and responses to Managers, Occupational Health Departments, HR departments
• Meet and exceed job outcome targets for service users

• Build relationships with clinical teams and take responsibility to regularly attend the weekly multi-disciplinary meetings (MDT) in order to discuss new referrals/ create new referrals and feedback progress of clients to the wider MDT Team.
• To attend Outpatient appointments with IPS clients to discuss and feedback their progress Attend to discuss how the IPS employment support can support clients back in to work.
• Build a multi-disciplinary approach to the return to work. For example, involve clinical staff (where relevant) in managing symptoms at work, medication reviews and supporting rehabilitation needs
• To prepare individuals for a return to work by supporting service users to understand their skills, aspirations and goals through vocational profiling and action planning.
• Focus on rapid job search with the service user, whilst utilising local support networks to help them overcome their barriers to employment.
• Source job opportunities for service users through tailored job search and regular contact with employers.
• Spend time getting to know local employers, in order to negotiate job opportunities that meet each individuals strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.
• When placing service users with employers, ensure that the quality of work environments is explored, including potential for workplace adjustments that will accommodate individual strengths, skills symptoms and coping skills.
• To develop effective working relationships with a range of external 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
• To be responsible for the organisation of and facilitation of courses/ workshops for the recovery college focusing on employment service and information topics including topics such as preparing and returning to work
• To work with and have knowledge of benefit system to be able to signpost and develop collaborative working relationships with organisations that provide benefit advice including DWP and CAB
• To 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.
• To provide individualized support to service users once they have returned to work to assist them in sustaining employment.
• To maintain a professional relationship with the service users of the programme and with key internal and external stakeholders, with particular attention to confidentiality and the maintenance of boundaries.
• To adhere to administrative and data capture protocols which record the progress of individuals, and to keep accurate and complete records of casework.
• Ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation systems are adhered to and keep abreast of changing practice within vocational rehabilitation
• To undertake mandatory training as required including training in the IPS approach
• To actively participate in own continuous professional development
• To ensure that all relevant policies are implemented such as information governance, safeguarding etc.
• To regularly collect and promote service user employment recovery stories.

If you are passionate, creative, solution focused, good at building hopeful relationships and growing trust, a career in IPS could be a varied and rewarding role for you.

You will work with the IPS team leaders and other IPS Employment specialists to assist in the development of the wider service across the county

Please note:

• New starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
• Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
• Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
• Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
• We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation and we encourage applications from users of mental health services. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our population.
• Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent (vocational experience/training/ or other qualifications

Qualifications Essential

• Hold a Full Driving license and have access to a car or alternative travel

Qualifications Essential

• Able to use IT and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies, and legislation in relation to employment

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

267-OA4981664-E