The closing date is 14th Jul 2026
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Anticipated Interview date(s) 24th July 2026
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Job summary
Are you a registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, or Occupational Therapist looking for the next step in your career? Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges? If so, this could be the role for you!
The Mental Health Employment Support Service is a dedicated team of mental health professionals, supporting people who want to work and are under the care of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust mental health services. Employment that suits an individual can be integral to their recovery. If you are keen to make a real difference in peoples lives, this could be the role for you.
The role is to provide and co-ordinate employment support services, using the evidence based Individual Placement and Support model (IPS), for service users who wish to gain, or retain open employment, focusing on the East Division (South Somerset, & Mendip). This post will work as part of a county-wide Mental Health Employment Service to provide specialist vocational assessment, planning and services, within Community Mental Health Teams in Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
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Main duties, tasks & skills required
Training provided: You don't need to be an Employment Specialist already! We offer full training in the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, as well as IPS Leadership.
Lead with impact: You'll provide clinical supervision and leadership to a small team of 4 IPS colleagues, supporting them in their roles.
Collaborate for success: Work alongside other IPS Clinical Leads and the Employment Support Service Manager to ensure consistent leadership and contribute to the strategic development of the service.
Work directly with service users: Manage a small caseload, providing tailored vocational assessments, action planning, employer engagement, the assessment of work-related risk, development of collaborative risk management plans, worksite assessment and in work support. Your work will support the aspirations of service users with severe mental health issues who want to work.
Build partnerships: Collaborate with clinical colleagues and external agencies such as Job Centre Plus, CAB, probation services, local employers, and NACRO, helping to identity employment opportunities.
What we're looking for:
A passion for helping others achieve their goals and improve their lives through employment.
Strong leadership skills and a desire to support a team of Employment Specialists.
The ability to work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders across the NHS and local community.
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About us
As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.
You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.
We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.
Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!
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Job description
To hold a small, agreed caseload of individuals and to deliver interventions demonstrating a high fidelity to the IPS Model, including individuals with forensic or other highly complex needs
To identify the barriers to work and develop appropriate strategies to overcome these barriers for service users who wish to gain open employment, using medical and other relevant information related to their mental health issues.
To actively work with service users in the development of their action plan to achieve their employment objectives.
To plan and undertake a range of vocational assessments to assist service users to identify vocational goals based on their transferable skills, work readiness, aptitudes and job preferences.
To be able to sensitively deal with confidential and complex information regarding an individuals health, forensic and employment history.
To assist service users to explore the pros and cons of disclosure to employers, enabling them to make an informed decision about whether, and how much, to disclose.
To assess work related risk and develop risk management plans in collaboration with service users and other stakeholders as appropriate. To identify changed level of risk and mental state, distinguishing critical information that requires urgent action or rapid onward referral and documentation.
To carry out rapid job search and job development employer engagement with service users to identify suitable employment opportunities based on individual employment goals including job matching and job carving and providing information on training resources, labour market programs and career options.
ANALYTICS
To capture all relevant data on IPS intervention quality and outcomes and assist in meeting reporting responsibilities as required by the Trust, the Integrated Care Board, the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, NHS England and IPS Grow.
To contribute to other data collection and analysis as required internally and externally, adhering to Trust information governance policy.
SUPERVISION, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
To deliver specialized IPS clinical leadership, role modelling, and supervision relating to IPS interventions to a small IPS team across Mendip on an individual and group basis.
To ensure the IPS team deliver positive outcomes for service users and maintain high fidelity with the IPS model, including being responsive to meaningful service user and carer involvement, by monitoring and coaching individual and team performance.
To co-ordinate with other Band 6 Employment Specialists, in particular with the other IPS Clinical Lead(s), and the Employment Support Service Manager to provide consistent clinical leadership, supervision and management across the service.
To provide expertise, support and advice to the CMH Service colleagues in relation to vocational rehabilitation, the Individual Placement and Support model and the role of employment in recovery.
To take all necessary action to safeguard ones own and others safety and well-being whilst visiting, workplaces, partner agency premises or patients in the community. To advise Employment Service colleagues regarding safe working practices and risk management as a senior member of the Employment Support Service.
To take an active part in the supervision, training and assessment of students of ones own profession on clinical practice and negotiate with other employment specialists to co-ordinate student placements within the adult service.
To be involved with students of all professions, giving relevant theoretical tuition and practical guidance through sharing opportunities for vocational interventions.
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Person specification
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Qualifications
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Essential
A degree or equivalent in social work, occupational therapy, psychiatric nursing or psychology
Professional registration to practice in the UK
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Desirable
Masters degree in a relevant field
IPS Training
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Experience
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Essential
Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues in a band 5 role
Working closely with a range of service providers
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Desirable
Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues in a band 6 role
IPS or other employment specialist experience
Forensic mental health experience
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Additional Criteria
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Essential
Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner
Able to work effectively with service users and employers and advocate for employment opportunities for people with mental health issues
Able to use and learn to use various software applications
Mental Health risk assessment and management experience
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, service users, carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and empathetic
High standard of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet
Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team
Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the county, to meet the needs of the service
Resourceful with ability to problem solve
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Desirable
Vocational assessment experience
Ability to carry out worksite assessment
Graded return to work or in work support planning
Cognitive assessment experience
Physical capacity / functional assessment experience
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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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UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
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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 6
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Salary
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£39959.00 to £48117.00 Yearly
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Contract
Permanent
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Working pattern
Full-Time
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Reference number
184-OL-GR-5073
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Job locations
Summerlands
56 Preston Road
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 2BN
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