Delivering Employment Support to Clients with Mental Illness in Community Settings for Non-Mental Health Staff, Vocational and Employment Specialists.
This course is designed to give participants an understanding of the origins of IPS, the underpinning skills and the knowledge to apply the skills in day-to-day practice. IPS is an evidence-based practice method that was originally developed for use with clients with severe mental illness with a focus on rapid employer engagement. Vocational programs and pathways for recovery were originally developed in social enterprises four decades ago.
Our new Individual Place and Support (IPS) for non-mental health staff, vocational and employment professionals bridges the gap between clients with severe mental illness in clinical settings and those clients who do not have a severe mental illness or access clinical programs. The course provides guidance and importantly addresses the elephant in the IPS room – the absence of vocational methodology for non-mental health staff, vocational and employment professionals.
Based on our work with this client cohort in the field and the evidence for practice with clients with mental illness, the course covers:
- The Eight Core Principles of IPS
- Practice Boundaries
- Basic Counselling Skills
- Motivational Interviewing
- Listening Skills
- The Role of the Family
- Employment Practice
- the Use of the CDERP-developed Individual Discovery Record – Mental Health
- IPS principles in Practice
- Post Placement Support Planning
Recently published evidence from the USA supports our approach to supporting vocational and employment specialists and highlights the benefits of practice-informed evidence and research.
These skills and knowledge will be invaluable for employment staff working across the broad spectrum of clients that utilise employment support. It will also facilitate a closer working alliance with mental health specialists where that opportunity exists, particularly in these challenging times.
For employment staff working in regional or remote locations without access to mental health facilities or programs, this course will provide valuable skills and insight to assist you to work effectively with clients who present with mental health issues.
The course is self-paced and supported by self-assessment, video resources and mentoring as required to support vocational professionals deliver the appropriate support when access to mental health professionals is either restricted or non-existent for employment clients.
