Job overview

Do you have experience supporting people with mental health problems and working in supported employment services?

Are you seeking a varied new challenge in a supportive and dynamic team?

We are currently looking for an employment specialist to join the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team in Oxfordshire. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team who have been awarded a national Quality Kite Mark.

We welcome people from a range of backgrounds and with a variety of 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.

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. 

Main duties of the job

 You will be working to support people either to gain employment or retain their current employment within the Oxfordshire Complex Needs Service.
This service offers assessment and treatment for people diagnosable with Personality Disorder. It uses a biopsychosocial model that puts the patient at the centre of their treatment.

The responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and who are waiting to either gain new employment or retain their current employment. 
• Work directly with all relevant stakeholders - you will support the service users on your caseload to gain and retain paid employment.
• Prepare individuals for a return to work by supporting service users to understand their skills, aspirations and goals through vocational profiling and action planning.
• Build relationships with clinical teams and to regularly attend weekly meetings in order to discuss/create new referrals and feedback progress of clients to the wider team.
• Spend time getting to know local employers, in order to negotiate job opportunities that meet each individual’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.

Working for our organisation

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible 

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”

Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team