Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research has launched a new and innovative service for Nottingham City residents accessing secondary mental health services who wish to enter employment.
Employment Connections uses an approach called Individual Placement and Support (IPS). There is strong evidence that IPS is the most effective method of helping people with severe mental health difficulties to achieve sustainable employment. It consists of intensive, individualised support, rapid job search and benefits advice followed by placement in paid employment and time unlimited in-work support for both the employee and employer.
Employment Connections aims to match people to the career option of their choice; one which reflects their aspirations, interests and skills. It works to create as much support around the individual as possible such as in the workplace, support from health professionals, as well as family and friends.
Eric Wodke, Individual Placement & Support Development Manager at Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “Work and employment remain the primary means through which people connect with their communities and build their lives, and is beneficial to both physical and mental health. Unemployment has been shown to damage health, yet participation in work can play a vital role in recovery for many people with mental ill-health. People with mental health issues have some of the lowest employment rates in the UK. We hope to rectify this with the help and support that Employment Connections can offer.”
Employment Connections is funded through a research grant from the National Institute for Health Research to the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care – Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire (CLAHRC – NDL: www.clahrc-ndl.nihr.ac.uk), Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Nottingham City Council. This pilot study is taking place in the City of Nottingham.
People will be able to access Employment Connections by completing a referral with their Care Coordinator.
