IPS Employment Specialist; Advanced Recovery Practitioner

Position: IPS Employment Specialist (Advanced Recovery Practitioner)

IPS Employment Specialist (Advanced Recovery Practitioner) Job Summary

Each IPS Employment Specialist will be based at one of the following hubs and will also be expected to work across Bristol premises as required:

• Central Hub – Brunswick Square
• North Greenway Community Centre
• South Symes Community Centre

Interviews will take place on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd December 2025.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join Horizons, our new Bristol service, as part of a specialist employment team using the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) model. The service is a partnership delivering substance‑use treatment and recovery services across Bristol, in collaboration with national and local providers such as Turning Point, Bristol Drugs Project, The Nelson Trust, Hawkspring, One 25, Southmead Development Trust, Southmead Project, Wellspring Settlement and Release.

Salary Scale

£29,244 – £33,880 per year, dependent on experience. Starting salary will be based on experience with annual pay progression up to scale point 5.

Scale points:
1. £29,244
2. £30,414
3. £31,325
4. £32,576
5. £33,880

Responsibilities

• Hold a caseload of 25 people in substance‑use treatment who would like help to find employment.
• Lead proactive employer engagement: approach employers, build new relationships, identify vacancies, negotiate adjustments and create opportunities that match client strengths and preferences.
• Develop a strong understanding of the local labour market and represent the service confidently with businesses of all sizes.
• Work closely with managers and staff across the Horizons service and with partners in the wider Bristol substance‑use system to ensure IPS employment support is fully integrated into treatment and that appropriate referrals are received.
• Manage a team of employment specialists, overseeing caseloads and ensuring team members deliver effective support to clients.

Person Specification

• Proven track record in delivering employment services or clear evidence of transferable skills suited to employer engagement (e.g. recruitment, sales, business development, community liaison).
• Strong confidence in approaching employers, making cold contact, building effective working relationships and promoting the benefits of inclusive recruitment.
• Good working knowledge of IPS service delivery and evidence‑based employment practice (or willingness to train).
• Experience of working toward and achieving individual performance objectives or targets.
• Numeracy, literacy and IT skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication to suit the audience; service users, employers, commissioners or staff.
• Good time management skills and the ability to work to deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a wider multidisciplinary and multi‑agency team.
• In‑depth understanding of the complex and multiple disadvantages faced by people using substances (or willingness to learn quickly).
• A demonstrable commitment to a values‑led approach when working with people with a substance‑use issue.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.

Contract & Working Pattern

Contract:

Permanent
Working pattern:
Full‑time

Location:

Bristol Drugs Project, 11 Brunswick Square, Bristol, BS2 8PE
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