Job summary
- Main area
- Community / Vocational/ Recovery
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent: Full time
- Hours
- Full time
- Other
- Job ref
- 334-CLI-7383541
- Employer
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Jeanette Wallace House
- Town
- Croydon
- Salary
- £35,763 - £43,466 per annum inclusive of HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Vocational Specialist
NHS AfC: Band 5
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.
We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’.
We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone’s potential as change makers.
The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I’m going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you’ll be part of something special.
As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.
Job overview
You may be a great fit if you:
Are passionate about mental health recovery and vocational rehabilitation.
Communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
Are confident working independently and managing a caseload.
Understand the challenges faced by individuals with severe mental health conditions.
Are organised, proactive, and skilled in motivational support and problem-solving.
Enjoy working in a hybrid model, combining remote and community-based work.
We are seeking a dedicated and person-centred Vocational Specialist to join our Mental Health and Vocational Services team in Croydon. This role is ideal for someone passionate about supporting individuals with severe mental health conditions to achieve their recovery goals through meaningful vocational activities.
As a Vocational Specialist, you will work collaboratively with service users to develop tailored support plans that promote access to volunteering, education, training, and employment. You will also encourage engagement in physical recovery options such as sport and fitness. The role involves close partnership working with mental health professionals, carers, employers, and community organisations to ensure holistic, recovery-focused support.
This is a hybrid role, offering flexibility for remote working, with regular travel across the borough and attendance at the team base as required.
Main duties of the job
Consult with CMHT professionals to assess referrals and contribute to Recovery and Support Plans.
Conduct vocational assessments and develop Personal Vocational Plans.
Deliver one-to-one vocational counselling using Motivational Interviewing and coaching techniques.
Liaise with employers, carers, and community partners to support recovery and inclusion.
Provide advice on the Equality Act (2010), employment law, and workplace adjustments.
Promote access to volunteering, education, training, and employment opportunities.
Support clients in retaining employment through workplace adjustments and ongoing support.
Maintain accurate records and contribute to service reporting.
Address barriers to employment such as stigma, confidence, or gaps in work history.
Provide guidance on benefits and financial entitlements.
Encourage engagement in physical recovery activities such as sport and fitness.
Working for our organisation
Our Vocational Services team in Croydon is a passionate group of professionals committed to supporting people with severe mental health challenges in their recovery journey. We pride ourselves on fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture
We work in a hybrid model which allows for flexibility while maintaining strong connections with service users and colleagues. Our team is known for its strong work ethic, proactive approach, and genuine commitment to person-centred care. We value creativity, autonomy, and reflective practice.
Our ethos is built on:
Empowerment – helping individuals build confidence and skills to achieve their goals through recovery-focused practice.
Social inclusion – promoting access to mainstream opportunities like employment, education, and volunteering.
Holistic care – recognising the importance of physical wellbeing, financial stability, and community connection.
As part of our team, you will benefit from:
A flexible working arrangement that supports work-life balance.
A supportive environment with regular supervision and opportunities for professional development.
Training in specialist areas such as Motivational Interviewing, employment law, and vocational rehabilitation.
A team that celebrates progress, values your input, and encourages innovation.
If you are looking for a role where you can make a meaningful impact while being part of a warm, dedicated, and forward-thinking team, we’d love to hear from you.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Work collaboratively with Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) to assess referrals, prioritise cases, and contribute vocational input to Recovery and Support Plans.
Conduct specialist vocational assessments and develop personalised vocational plans based on individual needs and aspirations.
Deliver one-to-one vocational counselling using evidence-based approaches such as Motivational Interviewing and coaching.
Provide advice and guidance to employers on the Equality Act (2010), employment law, and health and safety regulations, including support with Back-to-Work plans and reasonable adjustments.
Offer specialist vocational advice to CMHT staff, carers, families, and employers, and participate in clinical and multidisciplinary team meetings.
Maintain accurate and timely records using Trust systems and contribute to service reporting through data collection and analysis.
Promote recovery and social inclusion by supporting access to mainstream opportunities such as volunteering, education, training, and employment.
Proactively manage a caseload of clients, ensuring regular contact, progress monitoring, and recovery-focused planning.
Identify and address barriers to employment, including stigma, low confidence, or gaps in work history.
Provide support and guidance on navigating the benefits system and accessing financial entitlements.
Recognise and respond to wider social issues that may impact recovery, such as housing instability, isolation, or lack of support networks.
Encourage and facilitate engagement in physical recovery activities, including sport, fitness, and wellbeing programmes.
Support clients in retaining employment through workplace adjustments and ongoing liaison with employers.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including service users, carers, CMHT staff, employment professionals, community organisations, and education providers.
Person specification
Relevant Experience
Essential criteria
- 2 year experience in a reablement or rehabilitation, employment support, or a related field
- Right to work in the UK
- IT skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, Outlook, TEAMS and case management systems)
- Proven ability to manage a caseload and deliver person-centred support plans for people with disabilities
- Knowledge of safeguarding, equality and diversity, and confidentiality practices
Desirable criteria
- Relevant qualification in health and social care, employment support, or similar (e.g. Level 3 or above)
- Experience working with people with disabilities, mental health needs, or long-term conditions
- Knowledge of local labour markets, benefits systems, or employment law
- Additional training in motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice, or mental health first aid
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Tina Arul
- Job title
- Vocational and Reablement Team Leader
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07814250441
- Additional information
I work Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm - Alternate email CORE Service [email protected] to send a contact email - do not add any personal details.
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