The closing date is 31st Aug 2026
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Job summary
Are you interested in working with people and making a difference? The Mental Health Employment Support Service is delighted to offer the opportunity to join our friendly team as a Job Coach.
Evidence shows that employment which suits an individual is integral to mental health recovery, and we're looking for someone who shares this belief. If you're keen to make a real difference in people's lives, this could be the role for you.
In this rewarding position, you will support mental health service users to find and retain paid employment, working within the nationally recognised Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model. Full IPS training, peer support and regular supervision will be provided.
You will work with people through all stages of their employment journey - from goal setting and job search to employer engagement and in work support. The role involves agile working, with a base in Taunton and travel across local areas as required.
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Main duties, tasks & skills required
Provide 1:1 employment support to mental health service users who want to gain or retain paid work.
Use the IPS model to deliver personalised, strengths-based employment journeys.
Carry out vocational assessments, agree employment goals and create collaborative action plans.
Conduct rapid job search, job matching, job carving and employer engagement activities.
Build relationships with employers, promoting mental health awareness and reasonable adjustments.
Provide ongoing inwork support once individuals start employment.
Work closely with clinical teams, IPS Clinical Leads, the Employment Service Manager and partner agencies.
Maintain accurate records, data, and reporting in line with IPS and Trust standards.
Travel across Somerset to meet service users, employers and partner organisations.
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About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
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Job description
Working within the IPS Model
Support a caseload of people receiving mental health services who want to move into or stay in paid employment.
Deliver all employment support using the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model, focusing on strengths, preferences and rapid job search.
Provide community-based support and occasional inreach to inpatient settings.
Assessment & Employment Support
Complete vocational assessments to understand each person's skills, experience and job aspirations.
Set clear, achievable employment goals and create tailored action plans.
Provide practical support with job searching, CVs, applications, interviews and workplace adjustments.
Offer ongoing inwork support to help individuals settle into and sustain their roles.
Employer Engagement
Build positive relationships with employers to identify suitable job opportunities.
Promote mental health awareness and inclusive employment practices.
Work with employers to agree reasonable adjustments and ensure successful onboarding.
Partnership & Team Working
Collaborate closely with Community Mental Health Teams, IPS Clinical Leads and the Employment Service Manager.
Liaise with Jobcentre Plus, training providers and voluntary sector organisations to broaden employment options.
Participate in relevant meetings to support joinedup care and strong communication.
Administration, Data & Governance
Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with Trust standards.
Record data on activity and outcomes required for IPS reporting and service monitoring.
Follow all policies relating to safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance and health and safety.
Professional Development
Take part in regular supervision, annual appraisals and IPS fidelity activities.
Engage in ongoing training to maintain knowledge of the IPS model, employment practice and relevant legislation.
Travel & Working Arrangements
Travel across localities as needed to meet service users and employers.
Work flexibly within an agile model while based primarily in Wells.
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Person specification
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Qualifications
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Essential
Certificate in Community Mental Health or NVQ III in a health or social care field or an equivalent level recognised qualification in a human services or customer service related field (e.g. advice and guidance, human resources/recruitment, customer care, business).
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Desirable
A diploma level qualification or higher in a field such as health, social care, advice and guidance, human resources/recruitment, customer care, business.
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Experience
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Essential
Experience of providing advice, guidance and support in healthcare and/or vocational programme settings.
Experience of working with adults with severe mental health difficulties.
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Desirable
Lived experience of mental illness in ones own life or family.
Experience of working within IPS or other vocational, careers or recruitment services.
Experience of preparing and delivering training.
Experience of risk assessment and management within a mental health care setting.
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Additional Criteria
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Essential
Knowledge of and commitment to the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.
Ability to drive a car with appropriate business insurance and driver licence, and access a variety of Trust and community sites throughout the county.
Understanding of the role of employment in mental health recovery.
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Desirable
Knowledge of The Equality Act 2010 and other employment related legislation and their implementation.
Job search, job matching, job carving skills and return to work planning skills
Marketing skills
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Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
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For help with your application, contact:
Sue Newell
[email protected]
07500783469
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Pay scheme
Agenda for Change
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Band
Band 4
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Salary
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£28392.00 to £31157.00 Yearly
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Contract
Permanent
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Working pattern
Full-Time
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Reference number
184-OL-GR-5513
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Job locations
Foundation House
Wellsprings Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7PQ
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