Employment Support
Employment Support is a DWP/NHS funded initiative to provide employment support, information, advice and guidance to clients accessing Talking Therapies treatment plans and who are either in work, in work whilst on sickness leave or unemployed.
It is widely accepted that work is generally good for mental health – including for people with mental health conditions. It is also established that the longer people are absent or out of work, the more likely they are to experience depression and anxiety.
Patients receive psychological therapy through Talking Therapies which is complemented by employment support services, designed to deal specifically with the work-related problems the patient is experiencing. Employment Advisors will provide practical advice and relevant support to assist patients to retain employment and, if off work sick, to help them return to attending work and if unemployed to secure suitable employment.
Types of support available:
- Identifying relevant job opportunities online/ CV writing/interview techniques etc.
- Support to complete application forms effectively (written and online)
- Problem solving relative issues, for example, difficulty in providing previous employer references
- How to positively explain negating possible work absencesProblem solving for any other issues which may reduce chance of securing or maintaining employment, for example criminal records, health issues etc.
- Support patient to identify relevant job vacancies and training opportunities online.
- Problem solving for any issues or barriers which may reduce chances of securing or maintaining employment.
Patients will receive support to help understand the financial impact of returning to work (if applicable). For example, Better Off Calculations (BOC) with Employment Advisors liaising with local Job Centre Plus for benefits advice.
Click here to self refer online.