IPS Employment Specialist

IPS Grow; Warrington; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support organization is looking for an Employment Specialist to assist individuals in drug and alcohol treatment. This part-time role involves managing a caseload and using a multi-agency approach to support clients in entering and progressing in the workforce. Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and experience assisting those with complex barriers to employment. The position is based in Warrington and requires 18.5 hours per week from Wednesday to Friday.

Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals with multiple and complex needs.
• Able to deliver sessions to at least Grade 2 standard.
• Expertise in support agencies for complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of 24 clients motivated to start/return to work.
• Create Vocational Profiles and Action Plans for clients.
• Assist with job search, CV production, and application forms.
• Build relationships with clinical teams for referrals.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Negotiating skills

Guidance skills

Understanding of barriers to employment

Job description

Join The Growth Company as an Employment Specialist and help people in drug and alcohol treatment move into meaningful, sustainable employment. If you’re empathetic, driven, and great at building relationships, this part‑time role across Warrington could be the perfect next step.

Deadline: 25th January 2026

• North West
• Part-time

Job overview

The Growth Company’s (GC) IPS Employment team is looking for an Employment Specialist to support participants in drug and alcohol treatment. The role involves using a multi-channel, multi-agency approach to help participants successfully enter and progress in the workforce.

We help to make a lasting difference to the lives of people throughout the North of England and beyond, by supporting individuals to gain meaningful employment. Our highly skilled advisers and keyworkers work with a range of individuals; from people who have found themselves recently out of work, to those with complex barriers such as physical disabilities, mental ill-health and debt.

At GC, safeguarding the welfare of all individuals including vulnerable adults and young people is a top priority, and we expect all staff to uphold this standard. All appointments follow Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd), at no cost to the successful candidate.

Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List.

We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community.

If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.

We also aim to make our recruitment process inclusive and accessible. If you need reasonable adjustments or have any general enquiries at any stage or the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] or call us on 0161 237 4447.

• Meeting the hiring manager or touring the venue in advance
• Extra time for tasks
• Interview questions shared beforehand
• Accessibility software or equipment for assessments

We’re proud to support the Ban the Box campaign, which helps people with convictions access job opportunities. As part of this, we’ve removed questions about convictions from the initial application stage.

GC is committed to fostering a culture of flexibility and agile working. Many roles will increasingly support full agile arrangements. If you require more permanent flexibility, we encourage you to discuss this during your interview so your request can be considered early in the process.

All GC colleagues will work inline with the Health & Safety at work act and the GC Health & Safety Policy.

Role

The Growth Company’s (GC) IPS Employment team is looking for an Employment Specialist to support participants in drug and alcohol treatment. The role involves using a multi-channel, multi-agency approach to help participants successfully enter and progress in the workforce.

We help to make a lasting difference to the lives of people throughout the North of England and beyond, by supporting individuals to gain meaningful employment. Our highly skilled advisers and keyworkers work with a range of individuals; from people who have found themselves recently out of work, to those with complex barriers such as physical disabilities, mental ill-health and debt.

This part‑time position (18.5 hours per week) requires working across the Warrington area, with a preferred schedule of Wednesday to Friday.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of 24 clients motivated to start/return to work using the IPS approach.
• Create Vocational Profiles and Action Plans to help clients achieve sustainable employment.
• Assist with job search, CV production, application forms, interview techniques, and career development.
• Build relationships with clinical teams to generate referrals and promote employment.
• Attend weekly team meetings and provide ongoing support after employment is secured.
• Ensure accurate documentation and assess client needs related to work, including benefits/welfare advice.
• Source job opportunities through tailored searches and employer contacts.
• Educate and support employers to ensure job retention.

The person

Skills Required:

• Able to deliver one-to-one and group sessions to at least Grade 2 standard.
• Understand issues affecting individuals with multiple barriers to employment.
• Expertise in support agencies for complex needs (e.g., debt, substance misuse, housing).
• Knowledge in guidance, advice, and counselling environments.
• Experience with disabled people or similar client groups in substance use treatment, health, social services, or the voluntary sector.
• High-level guidance skills for one-to-one and group sessions.
• Experience with people with multiple and complex needs, including health conditions and disabilities.
• We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK.

About you:

• A warm, approachable style to delivery is required in order to build relationships and rapport.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiating skills.
• Ability to work in a target-driven environment, with a focus on the successful achievement of job outcomes and sustained outcomes.
• Developing knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs.