Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Advanced Lived Experience Employment Specialist
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Job Overview
The role of the Advanced Lived Experience Employment Specialist (ALXES) has been developed specifically for people who are experienced in an Employment Specialist role within the IPS model and have lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties.
Please note: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. “Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."
As such, if you don’t meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre-Screening Immigration section of your application form.
Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).
For further info please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK
Main duties of the job
This role will support access to the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model across the organisation, whilst contributing to the ongoing development, sustainability, and quality assurance of the Peer Employment Specialist (PES) workforce.
Alongside the Trustwide Lived Experience Peer Support Lead and the Employment Services Manager, they will support, develop, and strengthen the Peer Employment Specialist workforce and have responsibility for the recruitment, professional peer supervision and skills development of this group. In addition, they will undertake joint working and provide consultation in relation to best practice of the Peer IPS blended model.
In all aspects of this role, the post holder will utilise their lived experience of the role employment has played in their recovery, to inspire the hope and belief that people with mental health difficulties can thrive in employment.
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The post holder will also occasionally support the Recovery and Wellbeing College employment-focused offer across the Trust, supporting borough engagement, co-delivery opportunities, and equitable access to employment-related learning opportunities.
The post holder will carry a caseload to support the delivery of the IPS Access target whilst ensuring high-quality, recovery-oriented employment support is delivered in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.
Working for our organisation
Working for Central North West London NHS Trust
You will also be part of the Trustwide Employment Services Team which comprises of over 50 people.
You will receive a number of staff benefits working for CNWL Trust, this includes an attractive pension scheme, a range of staff networks, travel discounts, employee assistance programme and discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
The role is intentionally agile and responsive, adapting to service demand, workforce capacity, and organisational priorities. During periods where Peer Employment Specialist staffing capacity is reduced, the post holder will take a more active operational role in supporting IPS access targets, direct employment support, and service delivery across boroughs and teams. During periods where PES staffing capacity is established and stable, the post holder will focus more heavily on workforce development, quality assurance, supervision, training, co-production, and the continued development of the Peer IPS model.
In all aspects of this role, the post holder will utilise their lived experience of the role employment has played in their recovery to inspire hope and demonstrate that people with mental health difficulties can thrive in competitive employment and recovery.
See Job Description For Full Details
Person specification
Education And Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent workplace experience.
- Completion of or willingness to attain Peer Support Training
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Desirable criteria
- Completion of IPS Training
- Completion of Peer and Lived Experience specific training
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
- Own personal lived experience of maintaining (self-defined) recovery from mental health difficulties for a substantial period
- Own personal lived experience of accessing secondary mental health and/or addiction services
- Experience of working within the IPS model and considering how your own lived experience of recovery might be used in your work
- Significant experience of working with people with mental health difficulties or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector
- Experience of designing and delivering training
- Experience of relationship building and partnership working
- Experience of staff supervision and/or coaching
Desirable criteria
- Paid or unpaid experience of working in a Peer role (e.g. Peer Support Worker, Peer Employment Specialist or Peer Trainer
- Experience and knowledge of the benefits agency and all disability/employment related benefits.
- Experience of contributing to the national development of IPS as a model
Skills, Knowledge, Abilities
Essential criteria
- Ability to demonstrate first person experiential knowledge of recovery at an expert level
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the concept of personal recovery as it may apply to others
- A strong commitment to Peer Working and role-modelling recovery
- A strong understanding of the principles and practices of supported employment and of the Individual Placement and Support Model (IPS)
- Ability to role-model excellent practice and standards, and motivate the PES workforce
- A strong understanding of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health challenges
- Ability to assess the learning and development needs of others and give individual feedback to improve performance
Desirable criteria
- An understanding of the Equality Act 2010.
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