Job summary

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

Are you an Employment Specialist looking to make a difference in peoples lives? Do you wish to help people who are under our Secondary Mental Health Services get back into paid employment? If so you're in luck! Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust have an opportunity to join our Step On team for a 12-month fixed term contract,

You will champion of the Trust's Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Service via the Step On Team and effectively manage a caseload of 20-25 people in receipt of secondary mental health services, in order to facilitate individuals to gain and retain paid employment and/or engage in Higher Education.

A key to success will be enabling these clients to successfully make the transition into the labour market and reducing the number of service users who are not engaged in any form of vocational activity. You will work directly with mainstream employers to secure employment opportunities for service users whilst providing on-going support according to needs therefore to enable people who have experienced mental health problems to gain and retain education/employment.

You will be trained in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) or be willing to train to diploma level.

Main duties of the job

As an Employment Specialist you will effectively manage a caseload of people in receipt of secondary mental health services.

As parts of this role, you will be expected to:

• Receive complex and sensitive information in the form of referrals from Care Coordinators, to meet regularly with Case Managers to co-ordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
• Communicate effectively with clients, giving empathy when disclosing sensitive or contentious information, providing reassurance, training and the motivation to move forward and to overcome any barriers to understanding.
• Understand a range of work procedures and practises following the Centre for Mental Health's intensive IPS Training course, Motivational Interviewing training and benefits advice programme.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Details

Date posted

02 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

301-ZR-26-8332242

Job locations

Foundation House, St Georges Hospital

Stafford

ST16 3SR

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:

Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/4buATxw

Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/44KxWXs

MPFT - Adult Mental Health Services South Staffs - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/3K3B7ju

For further information regarding this role, please see attached the full job description and person specification.

For further information please contact Helen Felton [email protected]

Job description Job responsibilities Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT: Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/4buATxw Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/44KxWXs MPFT - Adult Mental Health Services South Staffs - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/3K3B7ju For further information regarding this role, please see attached the full job description and person specification. For further information please contact Helen Felton [email protected]

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated or relevant work experience to degree level or equivalent.
• Trained in IPS or willingness to train to diploma level

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of working with people who have experienced mental health problems within health, social services.
• An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.
• oExperience of helping people to obtain or keep education / work

Desirable

• Experience and knowledge of welfare benefits and all disability / employment related benefits.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to engage service users, their families/friends. Good facilitation skills
• Basic counselling skills
• An ability to work independently, reliably and consistently

Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated or relevant work experience to degree level or equivalent. Trained in IPS or willingness to train to diploma level Experience Essential Significant experience of working with people who have experienced mental health problems within health, social services. An understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems. oExperience of helping people to obtain or keep education / work Desirable Experience and knowledge of welfare benefits and all disability / employment related benefits. Skills & Knowledge Essential Excellent interpersonal skills, able to engage service users, their families/friends. Good facilitation skills Basic counselling skills An ability to work independently, reliably and consistently

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Foundation House, St Georges Hospital

Stafford

ST16 3SR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Foundation House, St Georges Hospital

Stafford

ST16 3SR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)