Getting support when you are l

					
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Getting support when you are looking for work

If you have had mental health problems, you may be able to get back to work without any special help or support. However, most people who have had to take a break from work – perhaps due to physical illness or caring responsibilities – do find that they need some help to return to work, and to keep their job going.

This is not the easiest time to find work. We are in a recession and there are cuts in many areas of employment. But there are some things that don't change and that will allways be helpful in finding work.

Links to resources:

Help with finding work

This is the link to the government website which summarises the work of Job Centre Plus in helping people to find work or gain skills.

Disability Employment Advisers

Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) work in Job Centres and can help you find work or gain new skills even if you have been out of work for a long time, or if you have little or no work experience. A DEA will find out about your abilities and the sort of job that would suit you. They will then help you to draw up an action plan to help you to get a job or onto a training course.

Pathways to work

Pathways to Work is a programme run by Jobcentre Plus to help people who are claiming Employment and Support Allowance or incapacity benefits to get work. The help is tailored specifically for each person taking part in the programme.

Work Choice

From October 2010, WORKSTEP, Work Preparation and the Job Introduction Scheme will be replaced by Work Choice. Work Choice helps disabled people to find employment and can support you in your job if you need it.

Realising ambitions: Better employment support for people with a mental health condition

Rachel Perkins, Paul Farmer and Paul Litchfield

Department for Work and Pensions, December 2009

This review was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to look at mental health and employment and to identify how Government could help people with mental health conditions fulfil their employment ambitions. Chapter 4 contains information on linking mental health and welfare to work services. In particular, it may be worth seeing the Mental Health Coordinator in your Jobcentre Plus District. Chapter 5 has information on easing the transition from benefits to work, including examples of flexible in-work support using Access to Work and intern schemes.

Doing what works: Individual placement and support into employment

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, February 2009

This briefing sets out the case for the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach to helping people with service mental health problems to gain competitive employment. The key principles of IPS may be useful if you are putting together an action or support plan for your entry into work.

Rethink employment and training services

Rethink provides a wide range of employment and training services to people with severe mental illness.