Trainee IPS Employment Specialist at Recovery Focus · Likewise…

Trainee IPS Employment Specialist

Location: Likewise - Portland House

Trainee IPS (Individual Placement and Support) Employment Specialist - Likewise Sheffield

Location: Portland House, 243 Shalesmoor, Sheffield, S3 8UG
Working Hours: Part-time 18 hours per week, when those hours are worked across Monday-Friday can be flexible.
Contract Type: Fixed term for 12 months from official start date

Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03 per annum (pro rata)

Please note that the starting salary for this role will be £25,877.80 per annum (pro rata), due to it being a Trainee position.

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

About the Role:

An exciting full-time opportunity has arisen for an IPS (Individual Placement and Support) Employment Specialist to support individuals experiencing drug and alcohol issues to secure and sustain competitive, paid employment.

This is a great opportunity for someone with lived experience to enhance their skills and knowledge to support people in their recovery to gain employment.

An Employment Specialist needs to be positive, flexible, empathetic, proactive and will be enthusiastic towards challenges and be able to motivate others. Any knowledge of drugs, alcohol, working with ex-offenders, the benefits system or disadvantaged people would be an advantage. Be part of something great supporting service users on their next chapter into stable employment. Get involved in engaging with employers in Sheffield and build connections to improve employability within our city.

This is a great opportunity for those with experience in recruitment and/or those with experience working in the substance use field or similar. We welcome applicants with lived experience and a passion for improving lives. We know that people are more likely to succeed in recovery through employment, education and volunteering opportunities. If this is you we welcome your application and are happy to discuss the role in more detail prior to application/interview.

To find out more about our brilliant IPS (Individual Placement Support) Service please check out this video - Individual Placement Support (IPS) explainer for jobseekers - YouTube

What You’ll Do:

• Actively promote our clients as potential employees and raise awareness of the service. Promote the ethos of our programmes and Waythrough and encourage employers to look positively on our clients as potential applicants.
• Create employment opportunities for our clients through proactive engagement with a network of potential employers.
• Facilitate work placements, work trials and work experience with relevant employers.
• Provide appropriate in-work support to clients who have secured employment.
• Work with our Employment Coaches to identify job ready clients and facilitate swift access to local employers.
• Match clients to vacancies based on their job goals, skills and experience.

Full training will be provided for the successful individual.

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:

• Sound knowledge of the local labour market and the skills needed to apply for vacancies.
• Experience of working with a range of employers to satisfy their recruitment needs.
• Experience of using management information systems and maintaining accurate records.
• Track-record of supporting clients to achieve their programme of learning and obtain employment and of meeting job outcome performance targets.
• Experience of multi-agency working to facilitate progression to employment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook Office programmes

To view the full job and person specification, please click here.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)

• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%

• Life assurance (3× annual salary)

• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay

• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave

• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications

• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme

• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals

• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus

• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership

• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good

• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk

Closing Date:

2026-10-02