Employment Specialist

IPS Employment Specialist, North Essex

Location – North Essex (Colchester based)

Hours – 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern – Monday to Friday

Salary / Band – £29,000 per annum

Closing date – 30th June 2026

INNOVATIVE PROJECT TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HEALTH NEEDS BACK INTO WORK

Do you understand the importance of work and the vital role it can play in the lives of those with health conditions or disabilities?

Do you take pride in what you do and can you think creatively about how different organisations can work together to deliver a better service?

Are you happy to talk with employers and help match people into meaningful work?

Experience in this field would be an advantage but not essential if you can demonstrate the right skills and knowledge.

Open Road’s IPS team aims to increase the number of people moving into employment from specialist community health services.

Working as a team, the IPS Employment Specialists will deliver supported employment to people in community treatment for substance misuse, who may be affected by other health conditions or disabilities, using the Individual Placement and Support approach (IPS).

The aim is to help people into paid work in a way that respects their preferences and choices. If you wish to know more about the IPS programme, please use this link – https://ipsgrow.org.uk/careers/why-work-in-ips/faqs/

About you

• You will have some knowledge of IPS
• We would like you to have experience talking to employers and helping people into work
• We want great communication skills and the ability to build relationships with everyone from the frontline up to CEO level
• Negotiation skis and commercial acumen
• Drive, passion and commitment
• Proven ability to build rapport with people and especially understanding issues from people affected by substance misuse or similar conditions
• Boundless enthusiasm, excellent teamwork and the ability to work in a target driven environment
• Strong written / verbal / organisational skills

What it’s like to work for Open Road

Open Road provides drug and alcohol treatment services and offender support services across Essex & Kent including a range of interventions that deliver mentoring, advice and information programmes. Accredited with Investing In Volunteers, our mission is to empower a diverse range of individuals, families and communities to lead healthy and more meaningful lives, free from addiction, offending behaviour and disadvantage, to ensure healthier, happier lifestyles.

Benefits to you

– £29,000 per annum

– 25 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays, plus your Birthday off

– Royal London Pension and Death in Service benefit

– Access to our in-house Organisational Training Plan, and full training tailored to your development needs

– Legal training including Health & Safety, Safeguarding and GDPR

This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check at enhanced level.

Pay: £29,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person