Ips Specialist jobs

Employment Specialist (IPS) – Connect to Work Programme

Location: Bristol and/or South Gloucestershire (Community-Based Role)

Type: Fixed Term to March 2027 (with strong potential for contract extension)

Ready to change lives through 1 to 1 Employment Support?

Do you believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful career—regardless of the barriers they face?

Join The BUSY Group and play a central role in delivering the Connect to Work programme—a high-impact, government-backed initiative helping people across the West of England secure and sustain fulfilling employment.

This isn’t just another job.
It’s your opportunity to make a measurable difference—every single day.

Why This Role Matters

Many people across the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) region are ready to work—but face complex barriers including mental health challenges, disabilities, and neurodiversity, or long-term unemployment for many reasons such as being a veteran, care-leaver, or having experience with the justice system.

As an Employment Specialist (IPS), you will:

• Empower individuals to achieve their ambitions
• Work directly with employers to create inclusive opportunities
• Deliver real, tangible outcomes that change lives, families, and communities

You’ll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team, working alongside our partners: ACH, Brandon Trust, and Better Pathways.

About the Programme

Connect to Work (CtW) is commissioned by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), supporting people with barriers to entering or maintaining work across:

• Bristol
• North Somerset
• South Gloucestershire
• Bath & North East Somerset

The programme helps participants overcome challenges such as long-term unemployment, disability, or health conditions by providing tailored one-to-one support, training, and meaningful employer engagement. Connect to Work will integrate and complement the authority’s Regional Employment Service (RES)

The programme utilises the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) framework – rapid, person-centred job support for people with mental health needs and other barriers and the BASE Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) – structured, high-quality support for those with disabilities and complex barriers.

What You’ll Be Doing

This is a dynamic, people-focused role where no two days are the same.

Guide People Into Meaningful Work

• Build strong relationships to understand goals, strengths, and barriers
• Develop personalised vocational profiles and action plans
• Support individuals to secure real, paid jobs aligned to their ambitions

Deliver Fast, Effective Job Outcomes

• Use rapid job search techniques to match people to opportunities quickly
• Coach individuals in interviews, confidence, and workplace skills
• Focus on quality and alignment to the IPS/SEQF models

Partner with Employers

• Build relationships with local businesses
• Create inclusive job opportunities and negotiate reasonable adjustments
• Help employers unlock the benefits of diverse, inclusive workforces
• Promote inclusive employment and mental health awareness

Provide Ongoing Support That Sticks

• Deliver in-work coaching and support
• Help individuals sustain employment and grow in their roles through behaviour modelling and joint discussions with employers
• Promote inclusiin, independence, and long-term wellbeing

Be Visible in the Community

• Work across community hubs, health services, and partner organisations
• Build strong referral pathways and local networks
• Integrate into the existing Regional Employability System (RES).

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for driven, resilient professionals who are passionate about impact.

You’ll stand out if you:

• Have experience supporting people with mental health needs, disabilities, complex barriers, or from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Can confidently engage with a range of stakeholders including individuals, employers and support teams
• Are proactive, adaptable, and solution-focused
• Thrive in quality-focused environments, where targets and outcomes are monitored
• Believe in inclusion, fairness, and opportunity for all
• Enjoy travelling to different community locations

Skills & Experience

• Experience in employability, careers, or supported employment
• Experience working with people with learning disabilities/ASD/mental health/complex health challenges and/or disadvantaged groups
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Employer engagement experience
• Confidence working independently in community settings
• Commitment to achieving measurable outcomes and performance
• Comfortable working with IT systems (Microsoft Office 365, datasheets, Customer Relationship Management Systems)
• Ability to travel across the WECA area and work flexibly

(IPS or Supported Employment qualifications are welcomed—or you’ll gain them with us.)

What You’ll Get in Return

• A role with real purpose and measurable impact
• Accredited training in IPS / SEQF (Level 3 Practitioner)
• A supportive, collaborative team culture
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Ongoing professional development and career progression

Our Values

We’re looking for people who are:

• Impact-driven – focused on changing lives
• Resilient – persistent and optimistic
• Inclusive – champions of equality and diversity
• Accountable – committed to high-quality outcomes
• Solution-focused – ready to make things happen

Apply Now

If you’re ready to help people build brighter futures through work, we want to hear from you.

Send your CV and a short cover letter to:kate.iley@thebusygroup.org.uk and pedro.estacio@thebusygroup.org.uk

Be the difference. Help someone change their life through work.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £31,000.00 per year

Work Location: On the road