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Wakefield individual placement and support (IPS) employment service
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About the service
The Wakefield individual placement and support (IPS) service provides employment support for people accessing secondary mental health services who are interested in finding paid employment or who may be off work or struggling in work due to ill-health.
Our service believes that anyone can work in the community, if the right kind of job and work environment can be found and the right support is provided.
Our friendly employment specialists work closely with the community mental health services across the Wakefield district. Working in partnership with health and social care professionals we can support you and your recovery journey.
We will work closely with you as an individual and offer a service tailored to your needs, based on your job preferences and choices.
Exploring your interests, skills, strengths, and experiences we will help you identify employment goals, enabling you to create a realistic employment plan. We can also help you with addressing any barriers to employment and explore solutions to overcome these to achieve your goals.
You are currently supported by secondary care mental health services (such as the core pathway, enhanced teams and early intervention in psychosis service)
• You are interested in finding paid employment
• You are motivated to job search
• You are willing to meet with the employment specialist for regular appointments
• If possible, you are willing to provide feedback on our service, good or bad, to enable us to continually improve
If you are interested in a referral to the team, please talk with your health care professional or clinical team member who can complete a referral for you.
We also welcome self-referrals using the electronic ‘expression of interest’ facility found under ‘referrals’.
Administrative staff provide essential support to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. This can be in a variety of different settings, with administrators working as a receptionist in a clinic or a clerk on a ward. They may also be working closely with a consultant as a medical secretary.
Why a professional should choose the service
What is IPS?
Individual placement and support (IPS) are a well-defined evidence-based approach, using a proven methodology, to help people with mental illness find and keep competitive employment. ‘competitive employment’ means work in the community that anyone can apply for and pays at least the minimum wage.
The overriding philosophy of IPS is that anyone is capable of undertaking competitive paid work in the community, if the right kind of job and work environment can be found and the right support is provided.
The IPS approach is based on eight evidence-based principles:
1. The employment specialist is integrated into the clinical team
2. It aims to support people to access competitive paid employment
3. Job search is rapid within 30 days
4. There is an emphasis on service users deciding when it is the right time to return to employment, rather than the clinical team – “zero exclusion” criteria
5. Job search is based on service user choice
6. There is an emphasis on building relationships with employers to access the hidden labour market
7. Benefits counselling is provided to support the person through the transition from benefits to paid work
8. Availability of time unlimited in-work support
Support offered
An individual and personalised service with a friendly employment specialist
• Bespoke support to find the specific type of work that the individual wants to complete
• Creating a realistic employment plan with achievable goals
• Support to build confidence whilst improving self-esteem and resilience
• Help with all aspects of finding work including job searching, creating a CV and cover letters, submitting applications and interview coaching
• Creating positive mental health statements for sharing personal information as well as guidance to allow the individual to make an informed decision about what they choose to share
• Engagement with local employers to find the right job match and to explore opportunities for ‘job carving’ as well as access to the hidden labour market
• If the individual is currently in work or absent from work but would like to find another job, we can support them to find this
• Work-related benefits advice
• Tailored support for both the employee and the employer once employment is gained to enable increased job sustainment
• Guidance and support on identifying and requesting reasonable adjustments in the workplace
• Signposting to additional vocational and employment support as required
Referral criteria:
As a paid employment service, we are unable to accept referrals for individuals wanting voluntary work or education and training only.
Currently, to access the IPS service, you need to be a supported by secondary care mental health services (such as the core pathway, enhanced teams and early intervention in psychosis service).
If you meet these criteria, and you are interested in a referral to the team, please talk with your health care professional or clinical team member who can complete a referral for you.
We also welcome self-referrals using the ‘expression of interest’ facility below.
What happens next?
• Once your referral is received and accepted, we will meet with you to help you explore your options
• A job seeking action plan will be agreed with you and support provided to follow this
• You will be offered regular appointments with your employment specialist to continue the employment journey and support you to achieve your goals
We work in partnership with a variety of organisations including (but not limited to) the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), from whom we can also accept referrals. If you wish to discuss a possible referral, please contact us using the details provided.
Wakefield individual placement and support expression of interest