About

Based on over 20 years of research, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment model is internationally recognised as the leading way to support individuals with mental health challenges to gain and keep paid employment. 

Since 2017, we have supported residents of Tower Hamlets with mental health support needs who want to find employment. Our dedicated team of specialists provide support with approaching employers, the application and interview process, as well as in-work support when the client is in employment. 
Beyond supporting clients, our service also offers mental health awareness sessions for organisations, in-work advocacy, peer support, and more. We also help employers with filling vacancies they have and ensure they are supported throughout the recruitment process or for any queries or support needs.  
 
Our employment support workers provide support and guidance for clients to move toward paid employment including support with CV’s, job applications, interview preparation and access to training, education and work experience. We work together with the client to create an individual action plan to help them achieve their employment goals and provide support around additional needs to get on the road to paid employment.    

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About

Tower Hamlets IPS Service FAQs

  • Are there any requirements to access the Tower Hamlets service? 
    A client must want to find paid employment, be a resident of the borough of Tower Hamlets, be over the age of 18+ and have a diagnosis of serious mental illness/be accessing secondary mental health support.
  • Is there a cost for using any of the services?  
    The service is completely free.  
  • Where do clients meet their employment support worker? 
    Clients do not have to meet in person there is the possibility of meeting over the phone or via Zoom. If clients want to meet in person, there are various community locations across the borough with available meetings spaces.  
  • What does IPS Mean?
    IPS stands for Individual Placement Support. IPS is an employment support model based on evidence of what works to support individuals with mental health to find and retain employment. 
  • How can clients be referred to the Tower Hamlets service? 
    Clients can be referred by their clinician or they can self-refer. 
  • Do clients need to have worked before to engage with the service? 
    No clients do not need to have worked previously; we can support individuals with all backgrounds. The only thing we need is a desire to take steps towards employment. 
  • How do employers advertise their vacancies with the IPS service? 
    Employers can advertise your vacancies with the IPS service for free. Get in touch with us via our careers and volunteering section to discuss in more detail.   

Our impact

The number of clients supported in 2021 was… 0

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Testimonials

  • I realised I could do so much better with my life than endlessly jumping from one job to the other without doing what makes me happy. Today, I am so proud to say I have a clear sense of direction and now I am putting my wellbeing first before taking any decisions. WWTrust really pumped my confidence, and I wouldn’t have had the guts to make decisions which are right for me without their intervention.
    Client of Working Well
  • My last past five months was plagued with personal tragedies. Thankfully, with the support of Access, I am again on the path of self discovery on personal fronts, as well as my training. My confidence is returning to normalcy, and my DTP training is progressing steadily. I thank all the staff for all their assistance during turbulent periods.
    Client of Working Well
  • I had not worked for many years and my confidence was on the floor, I thought that no employer would ever consider taking me on. My first meeting with Upskill gave me a huge confidence boost and helped me to see that I had skills that an employer would want and that I just needed help getting job ready.
    Client of Working Well
  • I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and long term, ongoing anxiety. Before meeting Working Well I believed I was not ready for employment. However, with reassurances, I became able to consider two positions with the NHS and with his help I applied for them. He also gave me benefit advice by letting me know about permitted work and then sourced the right kind of positions for me. I am now looking forward to the jobs outcome.
    Client of Working Well
  • The Peer Support has been a great help. Thanks to the weekly discussions I’m able to unload my concerns and get the needed help where possible. For example, I have got help in getting direction to further my studies and even a little financial support.
    Client of Working Well
  • The care, support, representation provided by WWT at a crucial time helped me feel reassured and alleviated the pressure of stress I was experiencing…they really helped my employer to understand my needs.
    Client of Working Well
  • I have been speaking with… and she has told me how supportive you have been with her work difficulties, it’s clear having the support from yourself is really helping, in particular, to validate her experience of poor treatment.
    THPTS Clinician
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