The Growth Company Partners with IEP to Boost Employability Standards

• The Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) has launched a new course to enhance understanding of best practice in delivering Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services.
• Its Employability in IPS Integration (EI) Award is designed to equip practitioners with the skills needed to provide effective support, while also promoting career development.
• The Growth Company is involved in the programme as a Development Partner.

The Growth Company and Institute of Employability Professionals have teamed up to raise professional standards and improve employment outcomes – and we are already seeing results.

The new IEP Award for Employability in IPS Integration (EI Award) is designed to make sure that employability specialists have the knowledge and tools to effectively deliver Connect to Work services. It combines classroom sessions and vocational learning to help professionals apply the principles of Individual Placement and Support and thus boost employment opportunities for their clients.

As a long-time IEP contributor, the Growth Company was proud to become a Development Partner for this innovative programme.

We already have a wealth of experience in managing IPS services, with three ongoing contracts across 11 locations, including primary care, severe mental illness, and drug and alcohol interventions.

The value for IPS professionals

The EI Award helps define the skills needed for high-quality support and highlights the factors that set IPS apart from traditional supported employment models. It introduces core IPS principles, such as employer engagement and single points of contact, which many practitioners find new and thought-provoking.

The result is a structured and evidence-based framework for person-centred support, which is crucial as IPS expands into new delivery models like Connect to Work. The qualification creates a shared understanding of best practice among employability professionals. For newer staff, it quickly builds confidence and capabilities. For experienced staff, it reinforces and enhances their existing approach. In the end, this should lead to better outcomes for service users.

Working with the IEP

Our partnership with the IEP has been constructive and forward-thinking. We co-designed and co-delivered the course, ensuring it stayed relevant to real-world challenges. Our team leaders, Andy Spensley and Labisi Brimah, acted as subject matter experts, supporting students with tailored guidance and a focus on continuous improvement.

Meanwhile, the IEP shared their sector expertise and delivered the course with clarity and energy. The use of the ‘Fidelity Manual’ and practical lesson plans helped even experienced staff see IPS in a new light, reinforcing the importance of client-centred practice.  

Outcomes and Benefits

The impact has been clear. Participants have grown in confidence and competence, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The course has also helped us to standardise practice, support staff development, and attract talent by offering a clear path for progression.

As IPS and supported employment programmes expand, accredited professional development will be vital. It ensures consistent standards, supports workforce stability, and reassures delivery partners that staff are equipped to deliver quality support.

Labisi Brimah, lead employment and training consultant at the Growth Company, said: “The EI Award represents more than just a training programme; it’s part of a wider commitment to professionalising employability and recognising the central role that practitioners play.

“The Growth Company is proud to back initiatives such as this one that invest in individuals and communities, raise standards, and help more people move into meaningful, sustainable employment.

“We encourage others to get involved and help shape the future of professional development and embed high standards across the sector.”

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a mission to generate growth, create jobs, and improve lives. We help people and businesses across the UK to develop, grow and succeed through a range of employment, skills and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire and Humber.

Contact us today to find out more.

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