Employment Advisor
| Posting date: | 20 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £31,049.00 to £37,796.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £31049.00 - £37796.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 August 2025 |
| Location: | Plymouth, PL4 0AH |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | B9832-2025-AC-1877 |
Summary
JOB PURPOSE This role is designed to offer employment advice to people engaging with NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies Service. The post holders will work closely with clinicians who provide psychological therapies to people with common mental health problems. The post holder will manage a caseload of patients, providing employment support and advice. This advice will range from single sessions to regular appointments with patients, and may continue for up to one month post therapy. The role will involve working directly and indirectly with Jobcentre Plus, employers, trade unions and employment agencies to keep both help people retain employment and secure employment opportunities. SCOPE AND RANGE The postholder will provide specialised assessment of individuals works needs and manage the provision and a caseload of people who are referred from NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies practitioners and wish to return to, remain in or enter work for the first time. The postholder will also provide specialised advice, information and support to the individuals employer or learning provider as required. The postholder is responsible for establishing and maintaining links with relevant organisations, employers and individuals to enable people who have mental ill health can access work opportunities. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES To manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and who wish to retain, return to or regain employment, using evidence based interventions. The EA work will be led by and focused on the aspirations of the service user. Considering their strengths, difficulties and employment assets to offer the most effective support. Conduct an assessment, discussing the persons job goals and any concerns regarding their capacity for work. It is important at this point to establish a job goal (they may wish to change roles or find a job), job tasks gathering evidence about the individuals abilities including previous work experience (it could be that a role they did previously may be more suitable). Also important is their confidence to perform tasks and any factors that may be issues for employment and whether the individual has or could develop strategies to address them. Where appropriate provide help to find the right job and provide advice and support on training and also how to prepare for employer interviews. Aim to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace. In particular establishing any return-to-work issues, potential behaviour in the workplace, possible work solutions. Provide the patient with appropriate tools to enable them to ensure that their needs are met within the workplace. Support to either self-advocate or source an appropriate advocate. Be aware of the impact on an individual who is experiencing mental health issues, including loss of confidence, fear of failure etc. Be aware that many individuals with mental health conditions may also have primary or secondary health conditions and disabilities. The post holders will have the knowledge to understand the work implications of these conditions. Provide a service that is flexible as far as possible in terms of service working hours, enabling, where possible, at least one working session to be run outside 9-5 hours. Be responsible for organising and planning own caseload and managing clinical/non clinical time effectively to fit with service needs and demands. Prepare, organise and run training for employers, others in learning and work organisations and care staff about learning, work and mental health issues. Run workshops to enhance employability skills for patients. To manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and who wish to retain, return to or regain employment, using evidence based interventions. The work will be led by and focus on the aspirations of the service user. Considering their strengths, difficulties and employment assets in order to offer the most effective support. Conduct an assessment, discussing the persons job goals and any concerns regarding their capacity for work. It is important at this point to establish a job goal (they may wish to change roles or find a job), job tasks gathering evidence about the individuals abilities including previous work experience (it could be that a role they did previously may be more suitable). Also important is their confidence to perform tasks and any factors that may be issues for employment and whether the individual has or could develop strategies to address them. Where appropriate provide help to find the right job and provide advice and support on training and also how to prepare for employer interviews. Aim to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace. In particular establishing any return to work issues, potential behaviour in the work place, possible work solutions. Provide the patient with appropriate tools to enable them to ensure that their needs are met within the workplace. Support to either self-advocate or source an appropriate advocate. Be aware of the impact on an individual who is experiencing mental health issues, including loss of confidence, fear of failure etc. Be aware that many individuals with mental health conditions may also have primary or secondary health conditions and disabilities. To contribute, alongside fellow Employment Advisors, Employment Support Coordinators and Talking Therapies leadership, to the development of policies to guide the work of EAs Ensure there is easily accessible written and electronic information for all the team and people using the service about learning and work related issues and services. Be involved in developing local policies. Assist as requested in producing documents of good practice about the employment of peoplewith mental health difficulties. Increase engagement of employers through providing support for employers in recruitment & retention of staff with mental health issues. Network with peers to maintain professional links across the Trust. Analyse job tasks and match with an individuals ability to do the job and any work solutions that may be required to develop the match. Consider a range of options available for a patient. To appropriately escalate any concerns following the identification of risk and safeguarding by adhering to Talking Therapies risk management guidance. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS Offer patients support agreeing a written action plan with the person detailing the steps to be taken to either get back into or retain employment and the appropriate support route. Including abilities, work solutions, preparation for work, disclosure. The action plan should also be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time bound). Advocate on behalf of the patient with prospective employers if necessary, aiming to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace. Establish any return-to-work issues, potential behaviour in the workplace, possible work solutions. Employer awareness of the implications under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, health conditions and employment reactions. Interactions with supervisors and colleagues. Development needs and in work support Develop in-depth knowledge of the local labour market, local support and new initiatives, taking into account the needs of the patient to support effective interventions. Including specialist schemes to help with retaining or finding employment. Be able to sensitively deal with confidential and complex information regarding an individuals health, education and employment history. Work closely with the person using the service ensuring appropriate, prompt, pro-active and clear communication at all times. Following Livewell Southwest policies, respond to requests for general information regarding mental health and employment, this may be from employers and members of the public. Develop effective working relationships with a range of other agencies who might be better able to help individuals to achieve their employment and/or education goals for example, local colleges, training providers and external supported employment services. Advocate on behalf of the patient with prospective employers if necessary, aiming to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace.