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IEP Award EI (Employability and IPS Integration)
Program Overview
The Award in Employability and IPS Integration is a blended-learning qualification for Employment Specialists delivering Connect to Work services under the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Designed in line with UK Government policy on supported employment — including the DWP’s focus on tailored, person-centred support — this qualification helps Employment Specialists meet the fidelity standards that ensure services are high-quality, consistent, and focused on rapid, sustainable employment outcomes. The programme combines classroom learning, workplace practice and reflective assessment. Employment Specialists will develop confidence in delivering IPS in ways that align with Connect to Work objectives: offering intensive, personalised support to those furthest from the labour market, engaging employers directly, and retaining clients in work through ongoing, flexible support. By embedding IPS into their daily practice, Employment Specialists strengthen local partnerships and contribute to national goals of improving health, wellbeing, and economic participation.
Structure and Timings
18 hours (3 days) of online delivery, complemented by practical work-based application activities and an assessed reflective learning journal.
Session 1: Principles of IPS
This opening session introduces Employment Specialists to the core principles of IPS, which underpin Connect to Work’s person-centred approach. By understanding the key differences between competitive and sheltered work, and embracing the ‘place-then-train’ model, learners ensure their practice aligns with DWP guidance to help people into real jobs with real wages, not time-limited or simulated placements. By mastering the eight core IPS principles and the Fidelity Scale, Employment Specialists will be able to monitor and evidence high-quality support that matches Connect to Work’s requirement for integrated, tailored pathways. This helps ensure clients are not excluded or parked but actively supported into sustainable, competitive employment.
Learning Outcomes:
1.1 Understand the differences between competitive and sheltered work.
1.2 Understand the place-then-train approach.
1.3 Be able to identify and describe the 8 core principles of IPS.
1.4 Understand the IPS Fidelity scale and its importance.
Session 2: The IPS Service Model
Connect to Work delivery requires Employment Specialists to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, ensuring the right level of intensity and coordination. This module explains how IPS teams should be structured and how roles, such as Employment Specialists, Vocational Generalists and Clinical Supervisors, interact to provide seamless, wraparound support. By understanding caseload management, supervision, and the principle of time-unlimited support, learners will be able to deliver the ongoing contact Connect to Work contracts expect. This supports the government’s ambition for personalised and non-prescriptive support that adapts as clients progress towards and within work.
Learning Outcomes:
2.1 Understand the structure and roles within the IPS team/vocational unit.
2.2 Identify the roles and responsibilities of employment specialists and other vocational generalists.
2.3 Understand the importance of caseload size and professional collaboration.
2.4 Understand the role of IPS supervision and time unlimited support
Session 3: Clinical Integration
A cornerstone of Connect to Work is linking employment support with wider health and social care services — this is where clinical integration is vital. In this session, Employment Specialists learn practical methods for embedding employment services within clinical teams, promoting joined-up care and tackling health inequalities. Through principles like zero exclusion and assertive engagement, Employment Specialists learn to reach clients who are most at risk of being overlooked, reflecting the DWP’s and NHS’s shared goal of using work as a key outcome for recovery and wellbeing. Learners also explore how strong agency leadership supports high-quality Connect to Work provision that stays true to IPS values.
Learning Outcomes:
3.1 Understand the methods of integration through assignment and contact.
3.2 Understand the principle of zero exclusion and its application.
3.3 Identify the importance of agency focus and executive level support.
3.4 Understand the role of community-based services and assertive engagement.
Session 4: Client Engagement (Part 1)
A cornerstone of Connect to Work is linking employment support with wider health and social care services — this is where clinical integration is vital. In this session, Employment Specialists learn practical methods for embedding employment services within clinical teams, promoting joined-up care and tackling health inequalities. Through principles like zero exclusion and assertive engagement, Employment Specialists learn to reach clients who are most at risk of being overlooked, reflecting the DWP’s and NHS’s shared goal of using work as a key outcome for recovery and wellbeing. Learners also explore how strong agency leadership supports high-quality Connect to Work provision that stays true to IPS values.
Learning Outcomes:
3.1 Understand the methods of integration through assignment and contact.
3.2 Understand the principle of zero exclusion and its application.
3.3 Identify the importance of agency focus and executive level support.
3.4 Understand the role of community-based services and assertive engagement.
Session 5: Client Engagement (Part 2)
Connect to Work emphasises rapid access to real jobs. This module shows Employment Specialists how to deliver practical tools such as vocational profiling and tailored job search plans that respect the client’s preferences and strengths. Learners will understand how to open up the hidden job market — a key area for securing opportunities for those with more complex barriers. These approaches directly support Connect to Work’s goals of achieving better job matching and faster outcomes than traditional employability programmes.
Learning Outcomes:
5.1 Understand the process of vocational profiling and rapid job search.
5.2 Be able to develop and apply strategies for individualised job search
Session 6: Employer Engagement (Part 1)
A major challenge in Connect to Work delivery is building meaningful relationships with employers. This session develops skills for proactive employer engagement and job development, rather than passive vacancy matching. Employment Specialists learn to plan systematic outreach, handle employer concerns sensitively using the ERR model, and align opportunities with client needs — a practice that ensures the service meets the UK government’s push for stronger employer partnerships, especially in local labour markets and growth sectors.
Learning Outcomes:
6.1 Understand the difference between job broking and job development in the context of IPS.
6.2 Understand the systematic job development process.
6.3 Be able to address common employer concerns using appropriate strategies and methods.
6.4 Be able to plan strategies for employer engagement.
Session 7: Employer Engagement (Part 2)
This module tackles the emotional and interpersonal skills Employment Specialists need to build employer trust — vital for the Connect to Work vision of sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships with local employers. Employment Specialists develop the skills become more self aware regarding the impact the impact of their own emotional state when engaging employers, the builds resilience and trusted relationships. Learners will also develop advanced communication skills including inclusive language and powerful questioning and understand how accurate documentation and field mentoring maintain service quality and consistency — all key aspects for evidencing outcomes, and building employer confidence.
Learning Outcomes:
7.1 Understand emotional barriers to employer engagement and be able to manage emotional barriers and build resilience.
7.2 Be able to apply professional and inclusive communication when engaging employers.
7.3 Be able to use advanced communication skills to build trust.
7.4 Understand the role of documentation and mentoring in IPS.
7.5 Understand the role of field mentoring in developing confidence and fidelity
Session 8: Job Retention
Connect to Work’s success depends not just on job starts but sustained outcomes. This final session ensures Employment Specialists can support clients beyond job entry, tackling barriers that might cause early drop-out. By using tools such as Wellness Action Plans (WAPs) and understanding workplace adjustments and stress management, learners are equipped to help clients retain jobs and progress. This directly meets Connect to Work’s emphasis on achieving meaningful, lasting results that boost individual wellbeing and reduce repeat unemployment.
Learning Outcomes:
8.1 Understand common barriers to work and strategies for removing them.
8.2 Understand strategies for in work support
8.3 Be able to plan the process for successful service completion.
Pricing
Award in Employability and IPS Integration
Member (Exc VAT)
£575
Member (Inc VAT)
£690
Non-Member (Exc VAT)
£695
Non-Member (Inc VAT)
£834
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