Employment Specialist; Individual Placement and Support

Overview

At Change Grow Live our dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of our Service Users is unwavering. We provide support, respect and a safe environment tailoring our approach to each individual's needs to discover the best treatment and care options.

Guided by our core values of being open, compassionate and bold our diverse team embodies these principles daily. We strive to empower individuals to reshape their lives, foster personal growth and embrace life to its fullest.

Embark on a Journey as an IPS Employment Specialist at Change Grow Live

We are excited to welcome an enthusiastic individual to join our Crewe service as an Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist. In this role, you'll manage a small caseload of clients currently accessing structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol use, guiding and supporting them to secure meaningful employment. As part of a community-based drug and alcohol treatment service you'll build and nurture positive relationships within the community.

Location: Crewe
Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week.

Full Time Salary: £29,529.80 - £32,002.35*

* Please note:

Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Roles and Responsibilities:

You will undergo comprehensive IPS training under our national lead and manage a caseload of service users motivated to seek paid work within structured treatment. Employment Specialists play a crucial role in service integration promoting IPS and nurturing relationships with treatment service staff.

• Managing a small caseload undergoing structured substance use treatment, facilitating their motivation for work.
• Implementing the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) methodology, providing necessary training.
• Engaging clients to identify work skills, goals and aspirations, and developing tailored job search plans.
• Assisting with job search (CV creation, applications, interviews) and career development including targeted employer interactions.
• Creating In-Work Support Plans to address work-related client needs, including benefits and health-related advice for employment sustainability.
• Participating in weekly clinical team meetings fostering relationships and encouraging client referrals to the IPS service.
• Curating job opportunities through customised searches and employer liaison to secure both advertised and hidden job placements.
• Offering ongoing support, effective monitoring and guidance post-employment to ensure job sustainability.

For success in this role you should possess:

• Prior employment placement experience.
• Experience or understanding of working with individuals needing substance use support or similar client groups.
• Excellent motivational communication and attentive listening skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal abilities with a knack for building rapport.
• Non-judgmental, trustworthy and empathetic approach toward mental health support needs.

• 25 days holiday (bank holidays) increasing annually for first 5 years (pro rata).
• Paid Wellness hour each week;
  Wellness hub and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Great benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays etc.
• A supportive team passionate about their work.
• Training, career development & progression opportunities.
• Refer a friend scheme for successful candidates.

Mia Tillyer

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

If you have any questions on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the details below.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Direct applications only; we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

Please note:
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

14/11/2025