There is now overwhelming international evidence that 'place then train' models are much more effective than traditional approaches such as vocational training and sheltered work in successfully getting people into work.

The EQOLISE project compared IPS with other vocational / rehabilitation services in six European countries. It concluded that:

• IPS clients were twice as likely to gain employment (55% v. 28%) and worked for significantly longer
• individuals who gained employment had reduced hospitalisation rates

IPS is a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended intervention. It is delivered across England and works with existing care coordination offering an additional intervention.

IPS clients can begin looking for a job within a couple of weeks of meeting with an Employment Specialist. There is no requirement to attend employment groups or job clubs and the service is independent of Job Centre schemes.

A recent service user told us, having been unable to work for 10 years after leaving her university education prematurely due to poor mental health:

“Employment is not part of my recovery. It is my recovery”

You can access our service if you are aged 18 or over, motivated to get a paid job and willing to start actively job searching and are receiving key-worker support from one of the following:

• AWP Community Mental Health Team
• AWP Early Intervention Service

On referral:

• The CMHT team will contact the service or Employment Specialist directly to discuss and complete the referral on behalf of clients. An Employment Specialist will then contact the client and arrange meetings on a regular basis to provide support with looking for employment, developing a detailed work preference profile to ensure the work is suited to the individual.
• You can also self-refer direct to the IPS team and they will contact your designated keyworker from CMHT/EIP.