S haw Trust promotes team spirit, inclusiveness and it is an organisation where everybody is somebody. I am proud to be part of this great organisation.”
At Shaw Trust we believe everyone has the right to live a decent and dignified life and an opportunity for rewarding work. We are a social purpose organisation challenging inequality and breaking down barriers to enable social mobility.
For us being part of the solution is about creating the conditions for this to happen, advocating and delivering services that make a real difference. Working in partnership not competition, we are part of an eco-system of purpose-led organisations, striving for a fairer, more equal society centred on opportunity for all.
Purpose
As an Employment Specialist, your mission is to empower individuals with mental health support needs by helping them secure sustainable employment in alignment with their preferences (meaningful to them) in order to rebuild their lives.
You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach, providing person-centred guidance to clients while fostering positive relationships with local employers. Your role within community mental health teams or early intervention psychosis teams will support a holistic approach to recovery through employment.
This is a highly people-focused, community-based role. You will:
Meet clients in the community or mental health settings
Support individuals with job goals, applications, and interviews
Build relationships with local employers
Work collaboratively with clinical teams
Provide ongoing in-work support
This role is active and varied—you’ll spend much of your time out and about, building relationships and supporting people directly.
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for motivated, proactive individuals who are passionate about helping others succeed.
Transferrable skills are welcome
You don’t need to have done this exact role before. We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds where supporting people to achieve their goals is key.
This may include experience in:
Education (teachers, tutors, teaching assistants)
Health and social care
Youth work or community roles
Charity or voluntary sector
Coaching, mentoring, or careers advice
Recruitment, HR, or customer advisory roles
Housing, probation, or rehabilitation services
Customer-facing leadership roles (e.g. retail, hospitality)
If you’re passionate about people and making a difference, we’ll support you to learn the IPS delivery approach.
If you’re looking for a role where you can genuinely change lives—and be part of a team that values purpose, inclusion, and impact—we’d love to hear from you.
Essential:
You will have:
A people-centred approach
Demonstratable passion to help people with mental health and physical barriers into good employment
Be able to work consistently to targets
Experience/understanding of working with people with mental health support needs, or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector
Resilience and initiative
Excellent communication skills
Able to work 100% of the time in the community or in a mental health treatment hub
A strong communicator who can build trust quickly
Organised and able to manage a varied workload
Resilient and able to work independently
Professional in your approach and presentation
Motivated to achieve positive outcomes for others
Download the Job Description for full details.
Location:
You will be based within Birmingham or Solihull - community based (peripatetic).
Why join Shaw Trust?
“Working here, you’re part of something bigger—where everybody is somebody.”
Be part of a supportive, inclusive, purpose-led organisation
Make a meaningful difference every day
Work alongside NHS and community partners
Receive training in the IPS model
Develop your career in a values-driven organisation
Employee Benefits
As an employee of Shaw Trust as well as positively impacting people’s lives, you will have access to the following benefits:
25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays), with incremental increases post 3 years’ service up to 28 days, and the option to purchase additional holiday
2 days paid volunteering leave each year
An enhanced pension scheme after 6 months
Life Assurance at 3 times your annual salary rate
Access to a suite of learning and development opportunities including paid for apprenticeship and masters’ levels qualifications, and management development programmes
Opportunities to connect with our employee diversity networks (LGBTQ+ Support Network, Racial Equality Network, Disability Equality Network, Women’s Network)
Health and Wellbeing initiatives including internal support, employee assistance programme and health cash plan
Our Strategy
To find out more about Shaw Trusts aims in our 2030 Strategic Directive available here: https://www.shawtrust.org.uk/content/uploads/2020/09/Vision-2030-Strategic-Directive-5-9.pdf
Join a diverse and inclusive organisation
Shaw Trust is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment, where every employee, regardless of their background or lived experience, feels that they belong and can progress in their career.
In addition;
We are proud to be certified as an employer who meets the National Equality Standard, the accepted standard for inclusiveness in business across the UK.
We are Disability Confident Leaders, support the guaranteed interview scheme and use of the government’s Access to Work scheme.
Living our values, we are keen to reflect the diversity of UK society at every level within our organisation.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community including from people with lived experience and/or knowledge of disability or social exclusion.
If you have accessibility requirements and/or would like further information about the role, please contact:
[email protected]
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