Job Description

The closing date is 7th Jul 2025

Job summary

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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 for service users who wish to gain, or retain open employment, focusing on the South Somerset 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

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Training provided:

You don't need to be an Employment Specialist already! You will have the opportunity to attend specialist training and shadow experienced colleagues.

Lead with impact:

You'll provide clinical supervision and leadership to a small team of colleagues, supporting them in their roles.

Collaborate for success:

Work alongside other Band 6 Employment Specialists 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 caseload, providing tailored vocational assessment, 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 retain their work.

Build partnerships:

Collaborate with clinical colleagues and external agencies such as Job Centre Plus, CAB, probation services, local employers, and NACRO, supporting our service users to sustain their paid employment.


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 small team of Employment Support Officers. The ability to work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders across the NHS and local community.

About us

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


At

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

Flexible working options

to help you balance work and life

NHS pension scheme

for long-term financial security

Generous annual leave allowance

to recharge and relax A strong focus on

career development

to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our

Blue Light Card

, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.


We are proud to foster a

diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce

, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers the perfect blend of

idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty

, and

breathtaking coastlines

, with vibrant cities like

Bristol

,

Bath

, and

Exeter

just a short drive away - and only two hours to

London

.


The region is home to excellent

educational facilities

, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all

- the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

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

Clinical

To hold a caseload of individuals and work collaboratively with them in the development of their action plan to achieve their employment objectives.


To plan and undertake vocational assessment to assist service users to identify vocational goals based on their transferable skills, work readiness, aptitudes and job preferences.


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 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.

Analytics

To contribute to data collection and analysis as required internally and externally, adhering to Trust information governance policy.


To keep comprehensive records in accordance with professional standards and Trust policy, using EPR/appropriate information systems.

Supervision, Leadership and Management

To provide professional supervision, annual appraisal and clinical leadership for South Somerset Mental Health Employment Support Officers.


To co-ordinate with other Band 6 Employment Specialists and the Employment Support Service Manager to provide consistent clinical leadership, supervision and management across the service.


To provide expertise, support and advice to ESS colleagues as a senior member of the team and to the CMH Service colleagues in relation to vocational rehabilitation and employment as needed.


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.

Person specification

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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

Experience

#

Essential

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


Mental Health risk assessment and management


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


Employment specialist 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


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 use and learn to use various software applications


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

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.

UK Professional Registration

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

For help with your application, contact:

Sue Newell


susan.newell@somersetft.nhs.uk


07500783469

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 6

Salary

37338.00 to 44962.00 Yearly

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-Time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2402

Job locations

Summerlands

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN