Employment Specialist - Employment Coach

Role Overview

We are seeking compassionate and dedicated Employment Specialists to join our welcoming Individual Placement & Support (IPS) Employment Service team. This role supports individuals living with serious and ongoing mental health conditions who are actively employed when referred to our service.

If you believe in the transformative power of meaningful work to aid recovery, enjoy nurturing confidence and life purpose in others, and thrive on creating connections with local employers, this position could be an excellent fit for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Caseload management of employed clients facing mental health challenges, supporting them to retain or find suitable alternative paid employment.
• Employ a person-centered, strength-based method to uncover career aspirations and craft customized support plans.
• Assist clients in identifying workplace reasonable adjustments and strategies for returning to work.
• Encourage independence, boost confidence, and foster hope throughout each individual’s recovery journey.
• Establish strong partnerships with local employers in diverse sectors such as SMEs, public organizations, retail, hospitality, logistics, green industries, and voluntary agencies across Gloucestershire.
• Actively engage employers to negotiate reasonable employment adjustments to help clients resume work after sickness-related absences.
• Address stigma surrounding mental health and contribute to building inclusive and supportive workplaces.
• Collaborate closely with Gloucestershire Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Work Coaches, Citizens Advice, and other community partners.
• Be an integral member of a multi-disciplinary team delivering integrated community mental health care.
• Adhere strictly to the IPS model, maintaining excellent standards of evidence and reporting outcomes.

Organizational Context

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust employs over 5,000 staff across more than 55 service sites and home visits. Our work environment emphasizes inclusivity, civility, diversity, trust, and a sense of belonging.

Staff feedback mechanisms such as annual surveys and regular pulse checks have shown strong engagement, with notable highs including 72% recommending the Trust as an employer and 76% endorsing care quality. Though positive, commitment remains to continual improvement toward achieving a consistently excellent workplace.

Contact

For more information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Vicky Vacara, Team Manager, at 0300 421 3149 or via email.