The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has confirmed that a programme to provide employment support to those with mild to moderate mental or physical health conditions will be expanded.
Employment has been recognised as an important driver of health and wellbeing and, as such, healthcare professionals such as GPs and practice nurses are referring people to the service. This ensures that employment support and advice is integrated with normal health treatment.
Despite being focused on supporting people in fulfilling careers and unlocking their potential, a more successful workforce will help the government to deliver on its priorities to grow the economy and halve inflation.
Mel Stride MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:
“We know that work has a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing and this pioneering programme will help thousands more people reap the benefits of fulfilling employment with the right help.
“This is a significant milestone in our commitment to invest in employment support for people with health conditions. Through the reforms we set out earlier this year, we will continue to provide even more inclusive employment opportunities across the country as part of our efforts to unlock people’s potential and grow the economy.”
The scheme being expanded, the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) programme, originally launched in April 2023 to provide on-the-job place and train support and advice to 12,700 people across six areas and 30 local authorities, costing £279.9 million. These areas were:
- South Yorkshire
- Greater Manchester
- West London
- Norfolk
- Cheshire West and Chester
- West Midlands
An additional 12,900 people are to benefit from the expansion of the IPSPC programme, with an additional six areas across 11 local authorities benefitting from £31 million of further investment. This investment will be contributed by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Health and Social Care, with the six additional areas being:
- Enfield
- Essex
- Newham
- Nottingham
- Slough
- Surrey
This expansion will also form the first phase of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Universal Support programme that was announced in 2023’s Spring Budget.
Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said:
“In our Health and Disability White Paper we highlighted the importance of employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions, so it is absolutely right to expand the proven successful model of supported employment further.
“’I’m delighted that we’re already seeing this approach boost participants’ employment prospects, wellbeing, self-confidence, and motivation to return to work.
“What we learn from supporting people through IPSPC will pave the way to Universal Support, which, when fully rolled out will offer people personalised support to help them flourish in work.”
The government has estimated that more than £25,000 people will be supported to secure or retain employment by March 2025 thanks to the integration of personalised employment support with their normal health treatment programme.
Maria Caulfield, Health Minister, added:
“This expanded funding is a vital part of our drive to support disabled people and those with health conditions who deserve to live independently. This also includes our £573 million annual Disabled Facilities Grant, which funds modifications such as grab rails and ramps to improve independent living at home.
“We are also inviting views on how the government can better diagnose and support those with major health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases or mental ill-health, which will inform our Major Conditions Strategy later this year.”
