An exciting opportunity hasarisen to join the Workways Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team to work closely withthe Early Intervention Teams within DPT (STEP).
Workways are recruiting an EmploymentSpecialist staff join the STEP team that covers Torbay, South & West Devon.
The Workwaysadmin base is in Exminster, near Exeter, but day to day work for the postholder will be based within the Early Intervention Team base and predominantly in the community.
Post holders will work closely with and receivemanagement and clinical supervision from the established Workways team who arecurrently working alongside all adult Core Mental health teams within DPT.
The post holder will be involvedin assisting Early Intervention Team clients to find and receive support whilein paid employment using the evidenced based Individual Placement&Support (IPS) approach.
The post holder will also provide information,guidance and support to clients who want to progress with education andtraining working closely to the IPS priniciples.
Experience ofsupporting employers and helping people with a health condition (preferablymental health-related) to find employment are essential to the role.
Main duties of the job
In this role, as an EmploymentSpecialist, you will be working closing with service users, employers, JobCentres and other agencies, to deliver high quality, effective employmentsupport using Individual Placement and Support (IPS), the evidence-based methodof finding work for individuals with significant mental health needs.
You will have the opportunity towork with a small, friendly team, managing a caseload of no more than 20service users. IPS focuses on delivering high quality support for individualsso you will have the chance to work closely with each person on your caseload.
In the field of employmentsupport you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and practice in aunique and highly rewarding way, using your existing knowledge of mental healthand social care, and taking this into the rapidly developing national arena ofIPS services.
About us
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people’s recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience – we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job responsibilities
Main duties of the job
The post holder works as part of the Workwaysteam in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) evidence basedbest practice. The post holder also provides specialised vocationalassessment of individuals learning and work needs. The post holder will managea caseload of no more than 20 people (per wte) who are supported by the EarlyIntervention Team, experiencing mental health problems and wish to enter orremain in employment in line with IPS principles. Working with people in anindividualised way to help them achieve their own employment and/or educationgoals, the post holder will be pro‑active in their engagement with people ontheir caseload. The post holder willprovide advice, information and support to the individual and to their employer/educatorand mental health worker. The post holder is responsible for establishing andmaintaining links with relevant organisations, employers and individuals toenable people who have mental ill health to obtain paid work.
This post may involve loneworking, working away from base frequently and working without directsupervision.
Communicationand Working Relationship Skills
- Be thelinked Employment Specialist with Early Intervention Teams in either Torbay, South and West Devon
- Developeffective working relationships with a range of other agencies who might bebetter able to help individuals to achieve their employment and/or educationgoals for example, local colleges, training providers and external supportedemployment services.
- Liaise regularly with mental health services workers,users and carers groups and other health related agencies over learning and work issues.
- Carry out all components of supporting clients oncaseload with education goals.
- Establish, maintain and nurture employer contacts with the aim of increasing options for people to find employment. Aim to contact at least one newemployer every week.
- Promote the benefits of employing andsupporting people with mental health issues to Employers
- Promote the benefits of mainstreameducation for clients on caseload with education goals.
- Support employers to enable the person using theservice to sustain their position. This will involve regular communicationwith employers and others to provide advice, guidance and training on how to manage a particular situation.
- Be available on the end of the phone for advice and support to employers/educators and others as required
- Promote and publicise Workways to learning and workproviders and the wider community by giving talks or presentations as agreed with servicemanager.
- Be able to sensitively deal with confidential and complex information regardingan individuals health, education and employment history.
- Work closely with the person using the service ensuring appropriate, prompt, pro‑active and clear communication at all times.
- Following DPTpolicies, respond to requests for general information regarding mental healthand employment, this may be from employers and members of the public
- Keep the Workways team informed of current work to ensurecontinuity of work at times of absence.
- Work closely with the whole Workways team and coverothers work as needed, this may include covering admin and reception duties at times ofstaff shortages.
Analyticaland Judgemental Skills
- Followingassessment of a new applicant to the service, offer the most relevantinterventions in line with the IPS approach.
- Monitorprogress with clinical outcomes of own caseload and report monthly to teamlead on these to ensure accurate onward reporting.
Planningand Organisational Skills
- Ensure effective use of resources within own work.
- Be responsible for organising and planning own caseload and managingclinical/non clinical time effectively to fit with service needs and demands
- Working with another team member, prepare, organise andrun training for employers, others in learning and work organisations and care staff aboutlearning, work and mental health issues.
- As required take a lead in planning and running ofrecovery courses and groups for people who use the service such as Preparing For Work.
- Work flexibly to meet individuals needs and this may require some working out of normal office hours.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatmentand Therapy
- At all times work in a recovery‑focussed way.
- Manage a caseload of people (of no more than 20 people per whole time equivalent worker) who have mental health issues and who wish to find paid work or commence mainstream education
- Work pro‑actively with the person using the
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