It is widely accepted that work is generally good for mental health – including for people with mental health conditions. It is established that the longer people are absent or out of work, the more likely they are to experience depression and anxiety. Therefore, employment advice delivered as a core part of an IAPT service can be integral to the success of that service. Employment services in IAPT generally comprise of employment advisers and employment support co-ordinators:
Employment Advisers (EA) in IAPT work directly with individuals who are in employment as well as people who are out of work and on health-related benefits. They provide practical advice and relevant intervention helping these individuals retain employment or enter the workplace (either for the first time or after a period on health-related out-of-work benefits).The specifics of service delivery can be decided at a local level.
Employment Support Co-ordination (ESC) is a key role/function with an aim to ensure that IAPT services are sufficiently integrated with relevant employment bodies at a local level – this can mean building relationships with Jobcentre Plus, Work Programme and other relevant employment support providers, local chambers of commerce and local employers. The ESC generally operates at a strategic level but may also have a caseload