the access to work mental health support...
TRANSCRIPT
The Access to Work
Mental Health Support Service
Susannah Robertson-Hart
Remploy
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
18th November 2013
Background
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Access to Work
provision (Jobcentre
Plus)
No financial contribution required from employers
3 year contract -
launched December 2011
Available nationally
across seven contract
regions
Aim: to support employees with mental
health conditions to retain their
employment. Emphasis on wellbeing
and productivity at work
Helped over 1500 individuals with a
range of mental health conditions
Delivered by
Remploy’s Vocational
Rehabilitation
Consultants (VRCs)
150+ referrals received per month – capacity for more
Eligibility
• Individuals must:
– be in paid employment (including self employment)
AND
– have a health condition or disability covered by the Equality Act,
i.e. it has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long term’ negative effect on ability
to do normal day to day activities
• Access to Work determine eligibility
• N.B the mental wellbeing issue may not be the primary
health condition
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Caseload Profile
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0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Referral process
• Application must go via Access to Work
• Customers / third parties can contact Remploy to gain support
with application to Access to Work: 0845 146 0501;
[email protected] (see initial referral form)
• Initial phone call to commence application
• Forms posted to customer for signature and return to ATW
• Eligibility and suitability for MHSS determined by ATW adviser
• Appropriate referrals made to Remploy
• Support initiated with customer within 1 working day of receipt of
referral by Remploy
• Individuals can also self refer directly (see literature)
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What does the support look like?
• Up to 6 months work based support
• Dedicated VRC throughout support period
• At least three face to face meetings plus telephone and email case
management
• Choice regarding employer involvement
• Assessment of individual’s role and specific workplace difficulties
related to mental health – development of a Support Plan
• Signposting
• Exit Report
• Workplace wellbeing and self esteem assessments
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Possible interventions.......
The support is completely tailored to the individual’s needs and could
include interventions such as:
– practical workplace coping strategies
– employer education / guidance around mental health (with
individual’s consent)
– planning and implementing return to work
– advice on redeployment into a more suitable role
– negotiating and agreeing adjustments / accommodations
– sign posting to internal support / external organisations
– attendance at internal meetings, e.g. Occupational Health, HR,
line manager
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Key findings so far
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91% success rate for
customers who have
completed the 6
month support
period
Consistent outcomes observed
across mental health conditions,
regions, comorbidities, age and
ethnicity
Over 60% of referrals are
from individuals with
Depression or Anxiety, but
less common conditions
also covered
More research
needed on
factors
impacting Case
Manager
effectiveness
A Case Study
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Background:
• Julie – anxiety, depression & arthritis
• Income Officer for tenant management company
• Referred to MHSS due to:
– Feeling very low,
– Feeling undervalued at work
– Missing targets and deadlines due to issues with
memory, concentration and organisation as a result of
her mental health conditions.
• Absent from work and at risk of losing her job
A Case Study Contd….
The support:
• Support developing a Graduated Return to Work Plan
• Coping strategies to assist organisation and memory
• Suggestions to improve confidence and sense of
value
• Employer engagement
• Signposting to additional mental health support
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Case Study Contd….
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Outcomes:
• Returned to work
• Utilising a range of work based coping strategies
• Increased level of confidence and feeling of value
• Improved relationship with line manager
• Improved productivity
• Increased perceptions of workplace wellbeing and
self esteem
Feedback...
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Next steps
• Request literature to promote service
• Arrange a meeting / phone call with Remploy to gain
further information / discuss use of the service
• Part of HR / manager’s toolkits
• Incorporate within existing services
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Contact Details
Susannah Robertson-Hart
07786 111211
Claire Wornham-Fellows
07554 332625
http://www.remploy.co.uk/mentalhealth
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