Publish date: 3 December 2025
A specialist mental health employment service which works with GPs across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) to help people stay in work or get back into work has been described as one of the best performing in the country.
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is run by AWP alongside the charity, Waythrough. It aims to support people trying to find employment and those who are struggling with employment due to mental health problems.
IPS works with other local mental health services and last year expanded into GP surgeries, and in a recent review carried out by independent national auditors IPS Grow, they described the BNSSG Primary care service as one of the best performing of its type.
Since it started working with primary care last year, IPS has supported over 330 people who have self-referred or have been referred by their GP and in addition to supporting people already in employment, has helped 117 people find new jobs in the last 12 months.
Mark Salter, Implementation Manager in the IPS team, said: “People with mental health problems often want to be working but don't know how to go about it or need support to make it happen. IPS takes an evidence-based approach always using client-centred employment as an active intervention to assist individual recovery. The team has recently expanded to work alongside 69 GP surgeries across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire and we believe passionately that by supporting people in work or to find work, we are making a huge difference to their lives and the lives of those around them.”
The service also helps people with applications and CV writing, to identify opportunities for career progression, and help with benefits and wider employment related support. They also work closely with employers across the area to help equip them to support those staff experiencing mental health challenges.
The report published following the review cited feedback from people who have used the service and local GPs, including:
"I was worried about accessing the service and what support I would receive, but I ended up getting so much more support than I thought. It is one of the best services I have ever accessed." IPS service user
"Really friendly and approachable. A good organisation, great service for us to have as partners. And there is no waiting list which is helpful. People need more that 9 months support and meeting in the community and really supporting with interviews and self-employment is all so helpful". Local GP
Visit the IPS webpage for more information about how to access the service, including videos and case studies.
