Kent and Medway IPS Employment Service

The Kent and Medway IPS Service is a free, voluntary programme designed to empower individuals with mental health conditions to find and sustain paid and meaningful employment.

To be eligible for the programme, you must be:

• Over 18 years old
• Registered with a Kent and Medway GP
• Currently under the care of secondary mental health services or on the GP Serious Mental Health Register
• Interested in finding paid employment

You can opt out of the service at any time, if you feel it is not right for you

At Shaw Trust, we understand that every individual’s career journey is unique. That is why we provide personalised employment support tailored to your specific needs and aspirations. Our dedicated Employment Specialists will work closely with you to understand your career goals, skills, and preferences, and develop an individual plan to help you achieve your desired employment outcomes.

Whether you are currently employed, seeking a new job, or unemployed, our comprehensive support covers all phases of your employment journey. We will work with you to identify suitable job opportunities, prepare you for interviews, and provide ongoing guidance throughout your employment journey.

Our services include:

• Personalised Career Planning: We will work closely with you to develop a tailored vocational plan that aligns with your short- and long-term employment goals.
• Job Search Assistance: We will guide you in identifying suitable job opportunities, CV writing, and preparation for interviews.
• Employer Engagement: We can approach potential employers on your behalf, expanding your job search network and increasing your chances of securing the right position.
• Ongoing In-Work Support: We are committed to your long-term success. We’ll provide ongoing support and guidance throughout your employment to ensure a smooth transition and a fulfilling career experience.

In collaboration with you and your healthcare providers, we will provide comprehensive employment support tailored to enhance your mental well-being in the workplace. Our IPS service is focused on your recovery journey.

We offer support in person and can offer remote support to fit around you.

Your first few sessions of support will involve us creating a Vocational Profile with you. We will look at your employment history, job preferences as well as your strengths and skills. This will lead to a vocational action plan based on your goals so we can support you to find paid employment.

One-to-one support includes:

• Creating targeted CV’s and professional statements.
• Support to complete application forms and cover letters.
• Interview techniques and mock interview practice.
• We will design support that suits you and can approach employers on your behalf.
• Support to discuss your mental health / gaps in CV with employers.
• Benefits support and better off in work calculations, ensuring that any role fits with your financial needs.
• Support with managing personal information like sharing your mental health conditions with employers, reasonable adjustments and wellbeing action planning.
• Support with job searching and registering with jobsites or agencies.
• Support to apply for Access to Work funding or related support schemes.
• In work wellbeing support, we can also support your employer to help you.
• Signposting to other organisations to help you with other areas of your life such as debt management and housing related concerns.