Connect to Work Specialist (Acorn 0489)


Company:	Acorn Training LTD
Salary:	£28,000 to £30,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Daventry, NN11 0QB
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	7 Oct 2026
Closing date:	6 Nov 2026

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Summary

We reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time if we receive suitable applications for the role.

An IPS Employment Specialist in the Connect to Work programme provides intensive, personalised, employment-focused support to people with complex barriers, working collaboratively across health, employment, and community settings. The role is dynamic, relationship based, and highly impactful, helping clients achieve lifechanging outcomes through meaningful employment.

Key Responsibilities

Manage an active caseload of 25 clients who want to start or return to work

Conduct vocational profiling, identifying skills, aspirations, and employment goals

Develop personalised action plans, supporting job search, CV writing, applications, interview preparation, and career planning

Assess clients’ support needs, including:

Travel planning

Benefits and welfare advice

Disclosure support around health conditions

Budgeting and “better‑off” calculations

Provide in‑work support to help clients sustain roles, including frequent early-job check‑ins and long‑term follow‑up

Support clients at risk of job loss due to ill health, helping them maintain employment

Source job opportunities

Promote the service to employers and negotiate reasonable adjustments and phased returns

Maintain ongoing contact with employers to support job retention and resolve employment challenges

Champion equality, diversity, and inclusive employment practices

Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, including Primary Care, training providers, mental health teams, DWP, and referral partners

Build relationships that generate referrals and strengthen community-based employment support networks

Maintain accurate case notes, progress reports, and CRM‑based documentation

Work to IPS fidelity standards and ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of client outcomes

Collect feedback from service users to support continuous service improvement

Work independently, reliably, and consistently to deliver high‑quality IPS practice

Job Benefits

Flexible working including home-based, centre-based, or hybrid job role dependant

Up to 26 days annual leave, with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days

Pension scheme to support your long-term financial wellbeing

Training and professional development, including CPD workshops and professional qualifications

Westfield Health Scheme with benefits including 13 healthcare services, cashback towards essential health bills, counselling and therapy treatments, fast access to MRI, CT, and PET scans, and discounted shopping vouchers

Wellbeing initiatives including Wellbeing Wednesdays and the Mental Health at Work Pledge

Disability Confident Leader, Menopause Workplace Pledge, Armed Forces Covenant, Ban the Box Employer, and secure prayer spaces

Annual paid volunteering day and charity initiatives

Cash incentives for Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year awards

£500 Recommend a friend scheme

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