IPS Team Manager (Connect to Work Programme)

Job Role: IPS Team Manager (Connect to Work Programme) Location: Wirral Salary: £38,682 per annum Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

Role Overview We are recruiting an experienced and motivational IPS Team Manager to lead the delivery of a high-quality Connect to Work service across the Wirral. As the IPS Team Manager, you will oversee a team of Employment Specialists delivering the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, helping individuals with health conditions, disabilities and other barriers to secure and sustain meaningful employment. You will be responsible for driving performance, maintaining IPS fidelity standards, developing staff capability and ensuring excellent participant outcomes. Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will manage a small caseload of participants with more complex needs, providing direct support and role modelling best practice across the service. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Team Leader, IPS Team Leader, Employability Manager or Welfare-to-Work Manager looking to take ownership of a high-profile employment programme that delivers life-changing outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Performance Management

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of Employment Specialists delivering the IPS model.
• Provide regular supervision, coaching and performance management.
• Monitor team performance against referrals, engagement, job starts and sustainment targets.
• Conduct caseload reviews and support staff to achieve positive employment outcomes.
• Foster a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Identify learning and development needs and coordinate training opportunities.
• Support the onboarding, mentoring and development of new team members.

Service Delivery & Quality Assurance

• Ensure the service is delivered in line with IPS principles and fidelity requirements.
• Promote consistent, high-quality delivery across the team.
• Monitor service quality, participant engagement and compliance standards.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and support service development.
• Implement quality assurance processes that inform service enhancement and participant satisfaction.
• Ensure robust monitoring and evaluation systems are maintained.

Participant Support & Caseload Management

• Manage a small caseload of complex participants (typically up to 5).
• Support individuals with significant barriers to employment.
• Complete vocational profiling and action planning.
• Provide person-centred support to help participants secure and sustain employment.
• Model high-quality IPS delivery and best practice for the wider team.

Employer Engagement & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with local employers and business networks.
• Support Employment Specialists to access hidden job opportunities and create sustainable employment pathways.
• Promote employer engagement and inclusive recruitment practices.
• Support employers with reasonable adjustments, job carving and retention strategies.
• Attend employer, stakeholder and partnership meetings to represent the service.

Partnership & Community Engagement

• Build strong relationships with: o Health Services o Community Organisations o Local Authorities o Training Providers o Colleges o Referral Partners
• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings and deliver presentations promoting the programme.
• Support co-production and service-user involvement in service development.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to identify solutions to service challenges and barriers.

Operational & Compliance Management

• Ensure delivery meets all contractual, quality and safeguarding requirements.
• Support budget management and resource planning.
• Manage complaints, compliments and participant feedback appropriately.
• Ensure compliance with: o Safeguarding requirements o Information governance procedures o Equality and diversity legislation o Health and Safety requirements
• Maintain accurate records and reporting systems.

Essential Criteria

• Minimum 2 years' experience within employment services, welfare-to-work, IPS or supported employment programmes.
• Minimum 3 years' experience supporting people with health conditions, disabilities or other barriers to employment.
• Previous experience leading, supervising or mentoring staff.
• Strong understanding of supported employment principles and practice.
• Proven experience achieving and exceeding performance targets and KPIs.
• Experience building relationships with employers and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing multiple priorities within a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, coaching and leadership skills.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to analyse performance data and drive service improvements.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the Wirral and surrounding areas.

Desirable Criteria

• IPS training or previous IPS delivery experience.
• Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services.
• Level 3 Advice & Guidance qualification.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience delivering staff training or workshops.
• Experience managing service budgets.
• Experience working within Connect to Work, Work and Health Programme, IPS or Supported Employment contracts.
• Lived experience of recovery from physical or mental health conditions.

How to Apply For more information or to apply for the IPS Team Manager role, please contact: Tiff Bennett on (phone number removed) / (url removed)