Individual Placement & Support Project
Dr Louise Thomson
Why IPS?
7.9% employment rate for people with serious mental
health conditions
Work leads to better mental health, physical health and
economic well-being
IPS consistently more effective than other approaches at
getting people into work: 61% IPS vs 23% Traditional
IPS reduces health service use: fewer days in hospital,
reduced rates of readmission (Hoffman, 2014)
Economic studies estimate £1.59 saving for every £1 spent
(Van Stolk, 2014)
“I felt that it was very important to get back into full time work, where I was before I had my
depression.” - IPS Service User
IPS Principles & Fidelity
IPS Principle 1
IPS Principle 2
Eligibility is based on individual
choice - no exclusion criteria
IPS Principle 3
Supported employment is
integrated with clinical teams
IPS Principle 4
Job finding and all assistance is
individualised
IPS Principle 5
Employers are approached with
the needs of individuals in mind
IPS Principle 6
Competitive employment is the
primary goal
IPS Principle 7
Job search is rapid (begins within
4 weeks)
IPS Principle 8
Follow-along supports are
continuous
Financial planning is provided
“My employment specialist visited me in-post to check how I was doing and if the workload
was fine, which gave me a chance to voice any concerns.” - IPS Service User
Facilitative Change Model
Embed Fidelity
Reviews in internal
processes
IPS Employment
Specialist Training
IPS Fidelity
Review
High Fidelity IPS
Implementation
Plan
Objectives - 2015/16
Demonstrate improvements in the IPS fidelity scale in those
NHS provider services that have signed up to the project
Establish an East Midlands IPS supervisors’ network
Establish an East Midlands IPS employment specialists’ network
Deliver specialist IPS training to key staff within NHS provider
services
Scope the potential development of employment outcomes data
collection and reporting model within patient record systems
“Even though I live with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, with support I have achieved a sense of
satisfaction in my job. Over time I have developed insight into my illness, which has helped my
recovery and reduced the symptoms.” - IPS Service User
Impact
More people with severe mental illness will be offered evidenced
best practice employment support as part of their recovery plan
NHS providers will be afforded expert support and facilitation
leading to increased fidelity of IPS services available to patients
NHS providers will be given the means to ensure that these
improvements are sustained far beyond the life of this project
IPS practitioners will have a regional network of peers in order to
share best practice and access support
“The work I do with service users is individual, client focussed and strengths driven. We work to
the recovery model and part of this is to build people’s self-esteem.” - Mel, Employment Specialist
The Employers’ Role
IPS is highly effective, but job retention is still problem
Employers’ role is crucial
Facilitating workplace adjustments (e.g. Access to Work)
Maintaining contact during absence
Reducing stigma
How can employers support employees with mental illness?
Where can employers get information on evidence-based
practices?
Recent review highlighted gaps and uncertainty
“Holding down a job is not always easy but it has helped my self-esteem.” - IPS Service User
Employment & Mental Health
Knowledge Hub
New project aims to provide:
Single source of evidence-based, best practice approaches
Sign-posting to sources of support available locally
Consultation with Stakeholders starts in Spring
Type of content
Delivery methods (e.g. animations, toolkits etc.)
Contact: louise.thomson@nottingham.ac.uk