IPS Employment Specialist Wigan
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Do you want to play a pivotal role in removing the barriers to achieving employment for those who are in treatment or recovery from alcohol or drug use? If you are committed to integrating employment support into treatment and recovery support, and passionate about creating opportunities for peer support and enhancement of the lives of those in recovery, this could be the role for you!
We have an exciting opportunity for 2 employment specialists to join our team and help make a difference to people’s lives. Our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team aims to increase the number of people moving into employment from our drug and alcohol service. The roles will be co-located within our integrated drug and alcohol team and you will work closely with a small caseload of service users to support them into work.
We are looking for someone who understands the importance of good employment, and the role it can play in the lives of those with multiple challenges and substance misuse issues. You will be confident in working with a range of employers and have excellent multi-agency and partnership working skills. Good communication skills are key, as well as demonstrating a non-judgemental and empathic approach. You will have experience of working with people from different backgrounds and those facing additional challenges to gain employment.
Our vibrant services in Wigan and Leigh provide support to people concerned about their own or someone else’s alcohol or drug use. We have services in both Wigan and Leigh but much of our work is carried out in the local communities we serve.
Check out what our Wigan and Leigh sites have to offer: https://youtu.be/BoixZ2SnMEs
This may be your perfect role if you thrive on developing and maintaining partnerships and effective relationships to champion the rights of those in treatment or recovery to enter employment and training that matches their skills, experience and aspirations.
You will be responsible for providing frontline support to individuals wanting to enter employment. You will use evidence-based interventions to support individuals to elicit the behavioural changes needed for their success and provide quality support services and facilitate peer support opportunities.
The focus of this role is championing the IPS and recovery models in all aspects of the service, raising awareness and representing the organisation as appropriate.
Benefits
There are a number of staff benefits of working for We Are With You that include:
- 28 days holiday plus a bank holiday allowance (pro rata for part time staff)
- Enhanced employer pension contribution
- Life assurance benefit scheme
- Flexible working patterns to help with work life balance
- Diverse package of training and development opportunities
- 24/7 access to employee assistance programme
- Cycle to work scheme
We have an excellent Refer a Friend scheme which offers you a £500 bonus for any recommendations, any role! Our scheme allows you to recommend your friends and family to work with us and earn a £500 bonus payment for every successful referral you make. Please note, the Refer a Friend scheme is only applicable if your recommended friend completes their 6 months probation period
Info
Working hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Essential Skills
- Educated to degree level, or with equivalent relevant experience
- Sound knowledge of best practice in the provision of addictions and/or employability and employment services
- Experience of multi-agency partnership working
- Able to assess clients’ vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilising background information and work experiences.
- Ability to develop relationships with multiple stakeholders, including employers, partner agencies, clients and their family/carers
- Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to deploy effective employer engagement strategies
- Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
- Well-developed IT skills, familiar with Office Suite and Google Workspace
- Ability to manage and resolve conflict
- Ability to balance competing priorities within tight timescales
Desired Skills
- A proven track record in placing people into employment and/ or in supporting people to achieve sustained employment
- Understanding of national development priorities and the needs of the business community in relation to employability and employment
- Good understanding of local labour market
- Understanding of employment law and employer’s responsibility
About Company
Everyone should feel comfortable getting the support they need for issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health.
At We Are With You we work with people on their own goals, whether that’s staying safe and healthy, making small changes or stopping an unwanted habit altogether. We give people support in a way that’s right for them either face to face in their local service, community or online.
We provide a free and confidential service without judgement to more than 100,000 people a year.
We use our expertise to improve the help available and raise awareness around drugs, alcohol and mental health so that more people can get support.
We Are With You.
Essential Requirements
- Educated to degree level, or with equivalent relevant experience
- Sound knowledge of best practice in the provision of addictions and/or employability and employment services
- Experience of multi-agency partnership working
- Able to assess clients’ vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilising background information and work experiences.
- Ability to develop relationships with multiple stakeholders, including employers, partner agencies, clients and their family/carers
- Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to deploy effective employer engagement strategies
- Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
- Well-developed IT skills, familiar with Office Suite and Google Workspace
- Ability to manage and resolve conflict
- Ability to balance competing priorities within tight timescales
COVID-19 IPS Employment Specialist Wigan