Job Requirements/Description
The closing date is 3rd Sep 2026
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Job summary
Are you an Occupational Therapist, Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), or Social Worker looking for a role where you can make a lasting difference to people's recovery journeys?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a specialist Mental Health Employment Service, helping people with serious mental health difficulties achieve their employment goals through the nationally recognised Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. You'll support individuals to find, secure, and sustain meaningful paid employment, recognising the powerful role that work can play in recovery, confidence, independence, and wellbeing.
Working across the Taunton and West Somerset area, you'll become part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team embedded within community mental health services. Every day will give you the chance to combine your professional expertise with a practical, person-centred approach that helps people move closer to the future they want.
This role requires travel across the locality, so access to your own vehicle and the ability to travel independently are essential.
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Main duties, tasks & skills required
As a Mental Health IPS Employment Specialist, you will:
Work directly with people experiencing severe and enduring mental health challenges who want to gain or retain paid employment.
Carry out vocational assessments to understand each person's strengths, interests, aspirations, and employment goals.
Develop tailored action plans and provide ongoing support throughout the employment journey.
Build strong relationships with local employers and identify suitable job opportunities that match individual preferences and skills.
Provide job coaching, in-work support, workplace assessments, and guidance on reasonable adjustments.
Support individuals to understand and manage work-related risks, developing collaborative plans that promote success and wellbeing.
Work closely with Community Mental Health Teams and partner organisations to ensure coordinated, recovery-focused support.
Promote the benefits of employment as part of recovery and advocate for opportunities for people living with mental health conditions.
Maintain accurate records and contribute to service quality, outcomes monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.
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About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
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Job description
This role is ideal for a motivated and compassionate professional who believes that employment can be transformative for people living with mental health difficulties.
You'll manage your own caseload, working flexibly across community settings to support individuals in achieving meaningful employment outcomes. From exploring career ambitions and overcoming barriers to work, through to engaging employers and providing ongoing workplace support, you'll be involved in every stage of the employment journey.
You'll work collaboratively with mental health professionals, employers, community organisations, and employment partners to create opportunities and deliver high-quality, personalised support. Your expertise will help individuals build confidence, develop practical strategies, and make informed decisions that support both their recovery and career aspirations.
You will bring experience of working with people who have complex mental health needs, excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and a genuine passion for helping people achieve their goals.
In return, you'll join a welcoming and innovative service that values professional development, collaborative working, and the positive impact employment can have on mental health recovery. You'll have opportunities to expand your skills in vocational rehabilitation, employer engagement, and the IPS approach while making a real difference to the lives of people across Somerset.
If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can combine your clinical knowledge with practical, recovery-focused support, we'd love to hear from you.
Help people discover what's possible through meaningful employment and be part of a service that changes lives every day.
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Person specification
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Qualifications
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Essential
A degree or equivalent in social work, occupational therapy or psychiatric nursing
Professional registration to practice in the UK if degree is in social work, OT or nursing, or a degree in psychology
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Desirable
Masters degree in a relevant field
IPS Training
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Experience
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Essential
Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues
Working closely with a range of service providers
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Desirable
IPS or other employment specialist experience
Forensic mental health experience
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Additional Criteria
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Essential
Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the county, to meet the needs of the service
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Desirable
Vocational assessment, worksite assessment and graded return to work or in work support planning
Supervisory skills
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Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
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UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
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For help with your application, contact:
Sue Newell
susan.newell@somersetft.nhs.uk
07500783469
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Pay scheme
Agenda for Change
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Band
Band 5
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Salary
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£32073.00 to £39043.00 Yearly
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Contract
Permanent
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Working pattern
Full-Time
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Reference number
184-OL-GR-5527
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Job locations
Foundation House
Wellsprings Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7PQ
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