Remploy Employment Services is celebrating winning a prestigious award for an innovative in-work support service that helps people with mental health conditions stay in work.
The specialist employment support provider won the Vocational Rehabilitation Association’s VR Initiative of the year award for delivering the Government’s flagship workplace mental health support service (WMHSS).
Since the service was introduced in December 2011, Remploy’s specialist vocational rehabilitation team has helped more than 850 clients who were potentially at risk of losing their jobs because of their health conditions. Ninety-one per cent of clients who have successfully completed the scheme are still in work, a success rate that was recognised by the VRA when awarding Remploy the VR Initiative award.
It is estimated that up to a quarter of the workforce in Britain has a mental health condition at any one time, resulting in about 70 million working days lost every year. On top of that, the cost of staff turnover as a result of employees leaving their jobs because of mental ill health is thought to be about £2.4bn.
Providing six months’ support, WMHSS – part of the Government’s Access to Work scheme to provide practical in-work support to disabled people – is impartial and confidential; comes at no cost to either employer or employee; can be delivered with or without the support of the employer; and is delivered by experts who understand mental health and its impact in the workplace.
It includes provision of a personalised action plan and exit report, assessment of an individual’s needs and help identifying reasonable adjustments in the workplace or changes to working practice.
Bruce Kernes, Remploy’s head of Vocational Rehabilitation Services said: “This award is recognition for the hugely successful retention rates achieved in the first 18 months of WMHSS.
“WMHSS helps employees manage their condition at work and stay well and productive. It also helps employers to reduce costs, improve commitment and satisfaction amongst employees, while creating an inclusive and diverse workforce.”
