Job Description

The closing date is 3rd Aug 2025

Anticipated Interview date(s) 11th August 2025

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 Bridgwater and Minehead locality. 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.

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.

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!

Job description

-------------------

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached and Person Specification.

Person specification

------------------------

Qualifications

#

Essential

A degree or equivalent in social work, occupational therapy, or psychiatric nursing


Professional registration to practice in the UK




#

Desirable

Masters degree in a relevant field


IPS Training

Experience

#

Essential

Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues in at least a band 5 role or equivalent


Working closely with a range of service providers




#

Desirable

Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues in a band 6 role or equivalent


IPS or other employment specialist experience


Forensic mental health experience

Additional Criteria

#

Essential

Knowledge of clinical effectiveness and clinical governance


Understanding of the role of employment in recovery


Supervisory skills


Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner


Able to use and learn to use various software applications


Mental Health risk assessment and management


High standard of written English communication skills with the ability to use email and internet


Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, service users, carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and empathetic


Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team


Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the county, to meet the needs of the service


#

Desirable

Knowledge of evidence based vocational rehabilitation and related legislation


Vocational assessment and worksite assessment


Graded return to work or in work support planning


Cognitive assessment and functional assessment

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact:

Susan Newell


susan.newell@somersetft.nhs.uk


07500783469

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 6

Salary

38682.00 to 46580.00 Yearly

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-Time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2899

Job locations

Summerlands

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN