Supporting people who are out of work due to health reasons to restart their career
Background
Through the Working Well programme Groundwork’s Individual Placement Support Employment Specialists provide support to people who are struggling with their mental health, have disabilities or have physical health challenges, helping them secure and retain rewarding work.
Covering Tameside, Rochdale and Oldham boroughs, our Employment Specialists support people using primary care services into work or support for those who are employed and either off sick or struggling in the workplace due to their disability.
Groundwork helped me through every stage of the job-seeking process – from filling out applications to mastering interview techniques – and made each step feel easier and less overwhelming. Thanks to their support, I’ve now accepted a job offer that I’m truly excited about. I genuinely appreciate the time and care Groundwork put into helping me reach this milestone.
Participant
What is Individual Placement Support (IPS)?
Individual Placement and Support is a person-centred approach to helping people into employment, meaning instead of fitting people into any available job without considering their preferences, IPS emphasizes placing individuals in roles that match their interests and then providing support as needed from there.
Our impact so far
Since starting the programme in October 2023 we have supported 122 participants into work.
In addition, we supported 70% of people with in-work challenges to remain in work, working alongside their employer to make reasonable adjustments to their work.
People who are now back in work
“Work to me means being independent & being part of something” – Pat’s Story
“Groundwork helped me set my mind to get into employment” – Gulshan’s Story
“The programme helped me with my confidence” – Marilyn’s Story
Additional support & ongoing learning
As well as helping people into work, Groundwork’s Employment Specialists signpost participants to the wider pastoral support services available at Groundwork and from our partners including, but not limited to:
- Wellbeing and volunteering activities
- Access to interview clothing from our Working Wardrobe team
- Energy advice and small measures from our Green Doctor’s
Since the team began delivering the programmes in 2023, they have adjusted their approach to ensure the service is more accessible. Initially they used only council buildings for 1-2-1 meetings, however the team now offer to meet participants at coffee shops and community centres. We’ve found that these spaces are typically easier for participants to reach and more familiar settings to them.
We are very grateful for the support, Groundwork are easy to refer to and fast at contacting people.
Clinical Team
This project has been made possible thanks to support from the NHS and local authorities and was funded by the Department for Work & Pensions and commissioned by the GMCA
