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Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based approach to supporting people with mental health challenges to secure and sustain competitive employment. Our Partnership works with three providers that offer IPS services to our service users.

IPS in a nutshell
IPS is personalised to each individual’s needs and follows eight core principles. The aim of the placement is to help individuals to find meaningful employment in our competitive job market. The IPS approach is not only about securing an income though. A huge part of it is about empowering individuals to achieve their full potential, to gain financial independence, and to contribute to society according to their own job preferences.

Who uses IPS services and what these offer
IPS services are open to all who want to work, regardless of diagnosis, health conditions or benefit claims. Eligibility for IPS services depends on whether someone has the ambition of being in competitive employment.

Employment specialists help those using IPS services with their benefits, help the individual find a suitable job tailored to their preferences quickly, and the specialists offer ongoing, personalised support to individuals once they are in employment. The specialists work alongside mental health teams to ensure treatment and employment plans are joined-up. The specialists build and maintain relationships with local employers, to unlock work opportunities for the IPS users they support.

What are the benefits of IPS?
Benefits of IPS include improved job-searching and interviewing skills, a greater sense of purpose and wellbeing, as well as an all-important income during our cost-of-living crisis. Employment plays a key role in recovery and empowers individuals to realise their full potential.

The IPS providers we work with
In Barnet and Haringey, individuals who enrol in IPS work with Twining Enterprise. In Enfield, the provider is the Working Well Trust, and in Camden and Islington, Hillside Clubhouse.

We'll be showcase some of the work these providers do over the coming weeks, so keep an eye out on the intranet news!