REF: NWM/741
IPS Employment Specialist: Drug and alcohol recovery
Please note: Driver’s license and access to a vehicle are essential for this role.
Due to the nature of the role, a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle are essential. Business insurance is also required. Mileage is reimbursed at 45p per mile for cars, after deducting the mileage between your home and work base.
Full-Time: 37.5 Hours per week - Monday - Friday
Salary: £32,073 per annum
Location Coverage
This is a hybrid role, a minimum of 65% work in the community meeting clients and employers. Work from Home is an option for completing admin tasks.
Location: West Norfolk, covering mainly Kings Lynn (Your work hub will be REST Kings Lynn)
As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will play a vital role in helping people in drug and alcohol recovery find meaningful and fulfilling employment. Joining a well-established and award-winning IPS service that utilises the skills of people with backgrounds from a variety of industries. Providing you with excellent training and the support you need to take on the role, develop your skills and have access to a broad range of opportunities within Norfolk and Waveney Mind.
We welcome applications from all experience levels and backgrounds, you do not need experience in the mental health sector to apply. What you will need is the ability to motivate and build relationships with clients, strong organisational skills, the confidence to communicate and engage with a range of employers and stakeholders and a fundamental belief that anyone who wants to work can work.
What is an IPS Employment Specialist?
Role
This is a rewarding and dynamic role where no day is the same and you’ll be making a genuine difference to people’s lives. Using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model you’ll be:
Supporting and motivating individuals with mental health conditions to access and sustain paid employment.
Regularly meeting with clients to listen, offer support and help them identify their best job match, reflecting their skills and aspirations.
Supporting the clients through CV production, interview techniques and managing their health at work.
Advocating for your clients by educating and engaging with employers regarding the IPS service.
Sourcing job opportunities for your clients through regular contact with local employers within the community.
Promoting employment and raising expectations around the ability of service users to access paid employment, breaking down the barriers for them.
You can find more information about the role here -
Individual Placement Support - Employment Specialist Full - YouTube
IPS is based on these 8 evidence based principles -
https://ipsgrow.org.uk/about/what-is-ips/8-principles-of-ips/
You can find more information about the IPS Model here -
https://ipsgrow.org.uk/about/what-is-ips/
Who are we looking for? You will need to be supportive and empathetic with great communication and listening skills. Also, the ability to initiate and develop relationships with individuals and be able to engage employers using a variety of methods such as; via phone or face-to-face in the community, alongside having excellent time management and organisational skills.
We are actively interested in individuals who have experience in roles in at least one of the following areas; coaching, mentoring, recruitment, training, human resources, pastoral support, management, mental health, education, or sales.
Job Description:
Job Description IPS Employment Specialist – Onwards.pdf
Please note: The link to the job descriptions (JD) may not work for all users due to system access restrictions. If you experience any issues accessing the JD, please contact the people and culture team
[email protected] Closing date: Monday 24th August
- This vacancy may close without prior notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Individual Interview Dates will be confirmed for interviews
Recruitment Guidance for Candidates 2026.pdf
How To Apply*Candidates are required to complete an application form, the link to the application form can be found here
Norfolk and Waveney Mind - Application Form.docx once you have downloaded and completed the application form you will be required to upload your application form via the
“Apply for this job”. If you need to contact us please contact the People and Culture team on 01603 364913.
Norfolk and Waveney Minds Equity StatementWe welcome applications from people from all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic classes, religions and disabilities. We also value and actively encourage applications from those with lived experience of mental health, recognising that your personal journey can bring unique insight and empathy that helps others feel heard, supported, and valued. At Norfolk and Waveney Mind, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone passionate about mental health feels respected, valued, and supported
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Safeguarding StatementNorfolk and Waveney Mind is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory DBS check as well as other safeguarding checks.