What is Individual Placement and Support (IPS)?
Individual Placement and Support is an evidence-based employment support service designed for people who experience mental health difficulties. It is about supporting an individual to find competitive employment and providing time unlimited supports to the individual so that he/she can achieve their potential at work.
It is also about matching a person with a competitive job and supporting the individual to access employment which matches his/her skills and talents. It is provided by an Employment Specialist who is a member of the local Community Mental Health Team with specific skills in relation to employment support.
Benefits of IPS to you, the Employer
The benefits include reduced recruitment costs as this is a free service funded by the HSE. It offers a confidential and professional service in assisting in hiring candidates in a quick and hassle-free way. There is also reduced staff turnover through the flexible and ongoing support of an Employment Specialist. This is designed to improve employee wellbeing and employer satisfaction offering on-going support for the employee improving quality and productivity.
The professional recruitment advice helps an employer find the right candidate for their organisation and reach an untapped, motivated and diverse workforce. It also allows the employer to actively engage in their Corporate Social Responsibility by offering opportunities to a person experiencing mental health difficulties. This also helps to develop an inclusive workplace that acknowledges and supports the mental health of your employees with the support of an Employment Specialist. There is Free on-going time unlimited support provided to maintain the candidate’s employment as well as advice given on grants available from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) when hiring through IPS (Wage subsidy scheme etc.).
Employment & Mental Health – The Facts
Three people in ten have experienced mental ill health while in employment (CIPD, 2016), www.cipd.org/ie. Employers may already employ people with a mental health difficulty but may not know it! As with any illness, early intervention can help prevent issues from escalating. Timely, continued ongoing support of their clients is provided by Employment Specialists who are uniquely based within the Mental Health Team to do so. Employers cannot help employees if they do not know a problem such as a mental health difficulty exists. Being involved with initiatives such as this demonstrates that organisations/businesses are committed to their employees’ wellbeing and are non-discriminatory, making disclosure of mental health issues easier. A mentally healthy workplace and increased employee engagement are interdependent – by looking after employees’ mental well-being, staff morale and loyalty, productivity and profits will rise (CIPD, 2016).
Role of IPS Employment Specialist
The IPS Employment Specialist works with a large and diverse employer base to connect jobseekers to employer needs for the best job match. The specialist holds expertise in relation to employment and can advise employers on providing an inclusive and supportive workplace. This promotes opportunities for candidates who have been out of work within the business community. They can also advise employers on Government Grants and Incentives when hiring a person through their service. The employment specialist is available for time unlimited support for both employer and client. There are regular progress reviews between the employment specialist and employer.
Employing a Person with a Mental Health Difficulty Through the IPS Service
Only candidates with the pre-requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to do the job are put forward for selection. They will assist in increasing an organisation’s talent pipeline with no added recruitment costs. Employment specialists have a caseload of committed people who want to return to the workforce. With regard to ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace should any be required; the employment specialist will work with the potential employee and employer. More often than not, their clients don’t need big accommodations, just awareness and understanding.
Individual Placement and Support is currently available in the following areas;
– Dublin City and County
– Wexford
– Wicklow
– Waterford
– Meath
– Midlands
For further information please contact Dan White at daniel.white3@hse.ie
